Ernest Airlines
Corporate brand
UnclaimedErnest Airlines was an Italian low-cost carrier that operated short-haul flights from Italy to destinations in southeastern and southern Europe before ceasing operations in January 2020.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Ernest Airlines was an Italian low-cost airline headquartered in Milan. Established on 16 October 2015, it was created to provide scheduled short-haul air services linking Italy with selected European markets, particularly Albania and Ukraine. The carrier initially traded under the Fly Ernest name and began operating in July 2016, concentrating on routes between Italy and Albania. In 2017, it adopted the Ernest Airlines name as its public brand and broadened its network. The airline’s operating model was based on Airbus A320-family aircraft and a relatively focused network built around Milan Malpensa Airport. Its schedule eventually covered more than 20 destinations in five countries, including Italy, Albania, Ukraine, Romania, and Spain. The carrier’s commercial proposition combined low-cost airline pricing with direct links between Italian cities and communities in southeastern Europe. Its stated slogan was “Fly with style in great company.” Ernest Airlines obtained an Italian air operator certificate and operating licence on 11 April 2017, after having already commenced operations under the Fly Ernest identity. The certification formalized its status as an Italian air carrier and supported the expansion of its scheduled network. During the following years, the airline added Ukrainian services and later introduced routes involving Romania and Spain. The company’s operating life ended amid regulatory concerns. On 29 December 2019, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority announced that it intended to suspend Ernest Airlines’ air operator certificate on 13 January 2020 because the carrier lacked required guarantees. Ernest suspended all operations earlier, on 11 January 2020. The shutdown made the airline a defunct Italian carrier and left its planned network inactive. In August 2020, Ernest announced a possible restructuring and proposed return as a regional airline, subject to governmental and court-related approval. The plan reportedly involved replacing its all-Airbus A320-family fleet with ATR 72-600 turboprop aircraft and developing a network of more than 70 destinations. The proposed restart was to be considered by the Milan court in September 2020, but Ernest Airlines did not resume scheduled services. No later operating revival is established in the supplied reference material.
History
Ernest Airlines was incorporated in Italy on 16 October 2015 as Ernest S.p.A. The new airline entered the market under the Fly Ernest identity and began commercial operations in July 2016. Its initial focus was the Italian–Albanian market, offering scheduled links between Italy and Albania through a low-cost operating model. The carrier’s formal regulatory position developed after its launch. On 11 April 2017, Ernest received an Italian air operator certificate and operating licence. During 2017, the company changed its public-facing name from Fly Ernest to Ernest Airlines, establishing the brand used for the remainder of its operating life. The airline promoted itself with the slogan “Fly with style in great company.” After establishing its initial Albanian network, Ernest expanded into Ukraine. Ukrainian services were introduced on 20 October 2017. The airline subsequently added destinations involving Romania and Spain, creating a network that ultimately served more than 20 destinations in five countries. Milan Malpensa Airport served as its principal base, and the carrier operated a fleet drawn from the Airbus A320 family. Its route structure remained centered on short-haul international travel from Italy rather than on a large intercontinental network. The airline’s operation came under regulatory pressure at the end of 2019. On 29 December 2019, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority announced that Ernest’s air operator certificate would be suspended on 13 January 2020 because the company did not have the required guarantees. Ernest ceased all operations on 11 January 2020, two days before the announced certificate-suspension date. The shutdown ended its scheduled passenger services and left the airline listed among Italy’s defunct carriers. Ernest later explored a possible return. On 11 August 2020, the company announced plans to seek permission to resume as a regional airline. The proposed business model would have replaced its all-Airbus A320-family fleet with ATR 72-600 turboprops and aimed at a network of more than 70 destinations. The proposed resumption required governmental agreement and was due to be considered in proceedings before the Milan court in September 2020. According to the supplied reference material, those plans did not result in a return to service, and Ernest Airlines remained defunct.
- 2020
Operations cease
[1]Ernest Airlines fully suspended operations on 11 January 2020.
- 2020
Proposed regional-carrier relaunch
[1]The company announced a potential restart using ATR 72-600 aircraft and a planned network of more than 70 destinations, but services did not resume.
- 2019
Regulatory suspension announced
[1]The Italian Civil Aviation Authority announced on 29 December that the airline’s air operator certificate would be suspended because required guarantees were lacking.
- 2017
Italian air-carrier authorization granted
[1]Ernest received an Italian air operator certificate and operating licence on 11 April 2017.
- 2017
Brand renamed Ernest Airlines
[1]During 2017, the company rebranded from Fly Ernest to Ernest Airlines.
- 2017
Ukrainian market entered
[1]Ernest introduced services to Ukraine on 20 October 2017.
- 2016
Commercial operations begin
[1]The airline began operating flights in July 2016 under the Fly Ernest identity, initially serving the Italian–Albanian market.
- 2015
Company founded
[1]Ernest S.p.A., the company behind Ernest Airlines, was founded in Italy on 16 October 2015.
Products and positioning
A Milan-based Italian low-cost carrier focused on affordable, direct short-haul connections between Italy and selected southeastern and southern European destinations.
Airline transportation · 2016
Scheduled passenger flights
Ernest Airlines provided scheduled short-haul passenger transportation from Italy to destinations in southeastern and southern Europe. Its network was centered on Milan Malpensa Airport and eventually covered more than 20 destinations in five countries. The service proposition was positioned as low-cost and focused on direct international travel rather than long-haul connectivity.
Aircraft-based service platform
Airbus A320-family operations
The airline operated Airbus A320-family aircraft during its active period. These narrow-body aircraft supported its short-haul European route network and were the basis of its scheduled passenger operation before the company’s closure.
Proposed regional airline service · 2020
Proposed ATR 72-600 regional operation
As part of a proposed 2020 restart, Ernest planned to convert from an all-Airbus fleet to ATR 72-600 turboprops. The proposed configuration was intended to support a regional network of more than 70 destinations, but the plan was never put into commercial operation.
Controversies
2019
Air operator certificate suspension over required guarantees
The Italian Civil Aviation Authority announced that Ernest Airlines’ air operator certificate would be suspended because the airline lacked required guarantees. The announcement was followed by the cessation of all operations in January 2020.
Brand decisions
2017
Rebrand from Fly Ernest to Ernest AirlinesStrategyBackground
The carrier had launched operations under the Fly Ernest name while building its initial Italian–Albanian network.
Action taken
The company adopted Ernest Airlines as its public brand during 2017.
Aftermath
The Ernest Airlines name was used during the company’s subsequent expansion into Ukraine, Romania, and Spain.
Sources1 sources
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