Start-up airline Flyvbird, marketed as ‘flyv’, has announced a route development partnership with Sweden’s Norrköping Airport as it strengthens plans to deliver low-cost, on demand regional air services. Sweden will be the second country after Germany to work with the firm’s business model in an agreement that will start with its nine-seat Tecnam Traveller P2012 based at Norrköping.

“As we roll out flyv, it is vitally important to have supportive airport partners who can help us position and market our services, and help us attract investors,” said CEO Anton Lutz.  “We have been speaking with the airport since the summer and they are completely on board with our philosophy.”

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The airline’s plan is to improve connectivity in rural areas of Europe – all utilising smaller, more accessible airports. Its innovative algorithmic approach to construct custom-made flight networks on decentralised airport routes and its app-based, on-demand air taxi services have been designed to give the passenger greater flexibility as well as competitive fares.

Starting initially with a fleet of four Tecnam P2012 Travellers, flyv plans to grow its fleet up to 50-plus low-cost and reduced-emissions aircraft in the next decade, which it will adapt in line with customer demand.  The company this week signed a Letter of Intent with Eviation in the US to take 25 all-electric Alice aircraft, complementing the Electra.aero hybrid aircraft commuterliner.

Operating on its own Air Operator Certificate (AOC), flyvbird will start with a core network within Europe starting with Germany as well as Sweden and additional countries (dependent on new partnerships).  It is preparing to launch  operations at the end of 2024.