Small Planet Airlines (Italy) (Rome-Fiumicino) lost its Air Operators Certificate (AOC) on January 17, 2014 due to concerns of Italy’s ENAC of its financial fitness. The Italian version of Small Planet was an independent company and was using the Small Planet name and brand under a franchise agreement.
The original Small Planet Airlines (Lithuania) (formerly flyLAL Charters) (Vilnius) and (Warsaw) is still operating and issued this statement:
The Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) has issued a decision to suspend the operating license of “Small Planet Airlines Italia” in Italy.
“Small Planet Airlines Italia” is an independent company and is related to “Small Planet Airlines” only by franchise agreement. The suspension of the license of the Italian company shall in no way affect our companies in Lithuania and Poland.
The Italian company “Small Planet Airlines Italia” is owned by “Aeroservizi” (64.5%) and “Avia Solutions Group” (35.5%), whereas “Small Planet Airlines” based in Lithuania and Poland are owned by the management of the company, Vytautas Kaikaris (70%) and Andrius Staniulis (30%). Mr. Kaikaris sold his 4.5% stake in “Small Planet Airlines Italia” in April, 2013.
“Small Planet Airlines”, holder of Polish and Lithuanian Air Operator Certificates, is an independent European leisure airline.
Copyright Photo: Nik French/AirlinersGallery.com (all others by Small Planet Airlines). Small Planet Airlines Italia was operating two Boeing 737-300s. Boeing 737-3L9 LY-FLE (msn 27061) of the Lithuania version of Small Planet arrives at Manchester.
Small Planet Airlines (Lithuania):