newstodate.aero

Sep 01, 2021 (newstodate): The new Icelandic LCC Play came off to a promising start after its first commercial flight on June 24, 2021.
   Reporting on its first quarter, PLAY carried more than 17,300 passengers in August, almost doubling the number of passengers carried in July - and ending up with a cash position stronger than planned.
   Play is now targeting expansion and growth, signed two LOI’s with two major international aircraft lessors in August.
   These arrangements will increase PLAY’s fleet size from three to nine aircraft in spring 2023, and PLAY is already in final negotiations over the lease of a tenth aircraft.
   The first LOI is for two new A320neo aircraft, manufactured in 2020, slated for delivery in Q1/ 2022.
   The second LOI comprises three A320neo and one A321neo to enter into operation by spring 2023. All four aircraft will be delivered ex-factory through the lessor.
   On top of that, Play says that lease terms are better than anticipated in PLAY’s business plan.  
   Play is now applying with the DOT for a foreign carrier permit and exemption authority as precondition for opening flights between Europe and the USA via its hub at Keflavik Airport, in Iceland.
   Eventually, the strategy of Play is to be allowed to transport persons, property and mail from Iceland to any point in North America with options including Boston, New York, Baltimore, and Montreal, as well as from any destination in the European Union.   
   The application also covers points from behind the EU and points beyond the US.
   Today, the airline offers four weekly flights to Berlin, Copenhagen, London Stansted and Paris CDG, as well as two weekly flights to Alicante, Barcelona and Tenerife.
   Heading Play is Birgir Jonsson as CEO, formerly serving as Managing Director of the now-defunct WOW Air.