A proposed airline startup, Fly Atlantic, is planning to copy the model of Icelandic airlines such as Icelandair and Play, with a hub at Belfast collecting passengers from all over Europe and then flying them to various U.S. cities at low prices.
It plans to start flying in 2024 with a six-plane fleet, using narrow-bodies, and growing by 2028 to eighteen. The airline's CEO, Andrew Pyne, says he has been negotiating with both Boeing and Airbus, but has not decided yet on the 737 Max or the Airbus A321. The hub model is not new to Pyne; he was part of the team at Wow! Air, an Icelandic carrier that overexpanded and shut down.
Some industry observers are skeptical the project can succeed; it's been some time since Belfast has had trans-Atlantic service, largely because of Aer Lingus's success at making Dublin a major factor in the traffic, a success helped by Dublin being a pre-clearance airport, so passengers headed for the U.S. clear Customs and Immigration before flying. That advantage, and deep enough pockets to survive a fare war, will make it tough for the newcomer.
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