France’s Flying Green plots 2023 launch with A320neo

Flying Green is planning to debut operations out of Paris Orly in the second quarter of 2023 using an initial fleet of three A320-200Ns.

The French start-up said that it hopes to complete certification in 2022. While it did not disclose any specific cities or types of destinations it will serve, it said its initial focus will be on medium-haul routes. It also plans to offer business class seats.

True to its name, Flying Green seeks to position itself as an environmentally responsible carrier. It has committed to using 5% of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) as well as a number of other initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint. It said its business plan had been developed together with Airbus.

Flying Green plans to start raising capital next year, although it did not disclose any details in terms of the amount needed to launch or the type of financial instruments it plans to utilise. It revealed that its fundraising will be assisted by the French public investment bank, Bpifrance.

Flying Green was incorporated in September 2020 with a paid-up capital of EUR5,000 euros (USD5,650) and is currently registered in Ablon-sur-Seine, a city south of Paris near Orly airport. However, its future operations headquarters will be located in Saint-Aubin. Flying Green’s president, Pascal Frochot, held executive positions at AirLib, Brit Air, and HOP! in the past, while Chief Executive Jonathan Machado is a trained A320 pilot and an aeronautical engineer.