Lessors have moved to repossess aircraft in Adria Airways’ fleet while the Slovenian carrier continues its hunt for fresh capital.
The airline disclosed on 23 September that it had “temporarily” halted operations and was “intensively searching” for a financial solution that enables it to restart flights.
Also on 23 September, regional aircraft lessor AeroCentury said it had that day terminated the leases of two Bombardier CRJ900s in Adria’s fleet with immediate effect, and that the lease contract for the “last remaining” CRJ900 would end on 27 September “if Adria does not cure its payment defaults”.
The US company is aiming to regain possession of the aircraft “as quickly as possible”
It notes that Adria had on 20 September returned a fourth CRJ900 to AeroCentury following a previous lease termination.
AeroCentury says it spent “many months working closely with Adria” while the carrier sought to improve its financial situation, but decided to terminate the leases in response to an “accumulation of substantial payment defaults”.
Another lessor, Trident Aviation Leasing Services, has terminated leases for two CRJ900s in Adria’s fleet, Slovenia’s civil aviation agency said on 20 September.
Adria’s website indicates that the carrier’s fleet was comprised of nine CRJ900s, two CRJ700s, three Airbus A319s and six Saab 2000 turboprops.
Cirium fleets data shows that the remaining three CRJ900s and both CRJ700s are managed by Regional One. One of the CRJ700s is wet-leased by Luxair.
The A319s is managed by Carlyle Aviation Partners. Jetstream Aviation Capital manages the Saab 2000s.
Two of the six Saab 2000s were in storage before Adria suspended flights, while one has been operated for Swiss.
Adria operated four CRJ900s – three from AeroCentury and one from Trident – for Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines.
Cirium fleets data shows that Adria, for its part, wet-leased an Embraer 190 and a BAe 146 from Azorra Aviation and WDL Aviation, respectively.
The WDL aircraft is no longer listed as part of Adria’s operation.
Adria Airways Tehnika has meanwhile disclosed that its collaboration with the airline ended on 31 August.
The MRO provider’s deputy chief executive Barbara Perko Brvar states: “None of Adria Airways’ events has any important impact on the business… of Adria Tehnika.”
She adds: “Adria Tehnika will be fully operable and safe in the future.”
In 2015, Adria Airways Tehnika’s entire shareholding was acquired by Polish line maintenance specialist Linetech Holding.
Source: Cirium Dashboard