Icelandic low-cost carrier PLAY has reported strong passenger growth. The company carried 109,956 passengers in July, up 25% from the previous month. Put in perspective, the number of travellers in July is more than the total flying with the airline in 2021. The latest load factor is 87.9% compared to 79.2% in June and 69.6% in May. PLAY bosses said the results are largely due to the addition of its transatlantic hub and spoke model connecting cities across the UK and Europe with the USA. PLAY’s sixth aircraft, an Airbus A320neo, arrived in Iceland at the end of June, with its fleet now comprising three A321neo and three A320neo jets. PLAY is due to take delivery of four new A320/321neo aircraft next winter, bringing the fleet to a total of ten in service from spring 2023.
Hans Airways’ first aircraft has arrived in the UK. The former Air Europa Airbus A330-200 will soon be re-registered as G-KJAS (c/n 950). The widebody touched down in Birmingham from Palma de Mallorca and was welcomed by senior company representatives (pictured) ahead of a formal technical handover and acceptance signing with the lessor. The airline has partnered with maintenance and repair overhaul firm STS Aviation Services for re-registration and entry-intoservice modifications ahead of a routeproving flight for the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Hans Airways has ambitions to be the UK’s newest long-haul airline with services to and from secondary Indian cities.