Play launches subsidiary in Malta
On 28 March 2025, Icelandic low-cost carrier Play announced it has secured an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) for its new Maltese subsidiary. The new airline is called Play Europe and its first aircraft is 9H-PEA (8008), which was transferred from Play and was previously in use as TF-AEW.
Play launched its new subsidiary to offer Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance & Insurance (ACMI) flights to third parties. It's diversifying its business model as it expects, and already sees, a slump in demand of transatlantic passengers. The company will be operated separately from Play, with all staff being recruited in Malta. It will also not operate under the original Play-brand. Therefore, the A321neo arrived at Ostrave on 28 March 2025 for a repaint.
The carrier has already secured a wet-lease agreement with an, for now unnamed, Eastern Europen carrier, for which Play Europe will operate three aircraft.
Photo by Anton Homma.