Air Nostrum and CityJet Form Strategic Alliance as “Holding Group” to Become Europe’s Largest Regional Aviation Services Group

Spain’s Air Nostrum and Ireland’s CityJet have officially launched the Strategic Alliance of Regional Airlines (SARA), marking a significant step in their collaboration. Described as a “holding group,” SARA brings together three airlines – Air Nostrum, CityJet, and Air Nostrum subsidiary Hibernian Airlines – along with MRO company ANEM, crew training unit ANTO, and additional aviation service providers.

With Air Nostrum’s shareholders holding 80% and CityJet’s holding 20% of SARA, the alliance boasts an initial operating fleet of 74 regional aircraft, targeting expansion to 100 aircraft within the next three years. SARA positions itself as the largest combined regional aviation services group in Europe, emphasizing that each entity within the alliance will remain independent with its own brand and structure.

Carlos Bertomeu, President of Air Nostrum, serves as the Chairman of SARA, while CityJet’s CEO Pat Byrne takes on the role of Head of Strategy. The alliance plans to leverage synergies in areas such as aircraft maintenance, crew training, and fleet management. While acting as a holding company, SARA aims to coordinate and assist individual entities within the group while fostering continued growth through organic expansion and targeted mergers and acquisitions.

SARA’s commitment to remaining based in respective countries and maintaining distinct brands and structures underscores its approach to collaboration without full merger integration. The alliance signals a strategic move to strengthen regional aviation services in Europe and collaborate with other customer airlines and partners.

Air Nostrum operates ACMI, charter, and scheduled flights, while CityJet focuses on ACMI and charter services, with both airlines contributing diverse regional expertise to SARA’s comprehensive offerings. The announcement positions SARA as a key player in Europe’s regional aviation landscape, with ambitions for sustained growth and strategic partnerships.