UK’s Sentra Airways Returns Sole Aircraft, Operational Plans in Question

Sentra Airways (SER), based in the UK, has returned its only aircraft, an A330-200, to lessor Air Lease Corporation, raising doubts about the airline’s launch plans. The A330, registered as G-SAHA, was deregistered from the UK in September 2023 and is expected to be placed with HiSky Europe based on aircraft data analysis.

The A330’s return comes less than ten months after Sentra Airways added it to its fleet. The aircraft, now parked at Kemble airport, will likely be re-registered in Guernsey with an unknown registration ahead of redelivery to its new operator.

Sentra Airways had aimed to operate direct point-to-point services between Manchester International and Accra, Ghana, focusing on the significant visiting-friends-and-relatives market. Despite applying for an Operating Licence in April 2023, the airline has not secured either the license or an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). The company has not issued any public statements since April and did not respond to inquiries about its launch plans.

Sentra Airways, based in Bradford, remains an active company, owned and directed by Ishmael Musah and Balqis Zakaria Isma-Il. The return of its only aircraft raises uncertainties about the airline’s future and its ability to launch operations.