Last week, the newly founded airline Bees Airlines received an AOC and operating license from the Romanian Civil Aviation Authority. It is the EU branch of the Ukrainian Bees Airline, which has not been in the air since the start of the war.

Initially, the Romanian carrier will mainly operate charter flights. The corporate identity is based on that of the low-cost airline Bees Airline, which is currently not operational due to the war. The Ukrainian Civil Aviation Authority has also suspended the AOC and operating license because the low-cost airline currently has no aircraft.

Previously, leased Boeing 737-800s were used. This had to be taken out of the country immediately before the Russian Federation's military attack against Ukraine on the instructions of the Lessors. The lessors wanted to secure their ownership, which turned out to be a sensible decision. In contrast, Wizz Air's Airbus A320s are stranded in Kiev-Zulyany and Lviv.

However, the Romanian Bees Airlines will not start with Boeing 737-800, but will initially rely on two Airbus A320s. According to a report from the local portal Boardingpass.ro, a machine of this type, YR-BUZ, is currently registered on the AOC. But it should only be a “means to an end”, because this jet would only have been leased on a temporary basis in order to obtain AOC and operating license. Commercial flight operations will initially begin with two other A320s. These have not yet been identified by Bees Airlines.

The date for the first commercial flight has not yet been set. Initially, charter flights will be carried out on behalf of Romanian tour operators. It is currently still completely open whether Bees Airline will become active as a low-cost airline at a later date. A portrait of the Ukrainian Bees Airline, which is currently not operational, can be found under this link at Aviation.Direct.