Solinair

Solinair d.o.o. is a Slovenian airline based at Ljubljana Jože Pučnik Airport. Its principal business is the operation of charter cargo flights and related aviation services for logistics companies, airlines, and other customers. The airline has also undertaken passenger charter work and provides aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance arrangements through ACMI or wet-lease operations. The company was founded in 1991 by two pilots and two business entrepreneurs. It began flying with a PT6-powered Let L-410 UVP under contract to DHL, making it the first privately owned airline established in Slovenia and, according to the available historical account, the first privately owned airline in any of the former Yugoslav republics. Its early operations focused on regional cargo activity, particularly the movement of express freight, while passenger charter flights were conducted on an occasional basis. During its early development, Solinair operated across three related aviation divisions. The airline division used Let L-410 UVPE aircraft for cargo work and limited passenger charter operations. A Flight Training Organisation, later designated an Approved Training Organisation, provided fixed-wing and helicopter instruction. A Part 145 maintenance organisation handled general-aviation maintenance and line maintenance for the L-410 fleet. The training business was later separated from the airline and continued under the Lippizanair air operator certificate. Solinair's first chief executive officer was Captain Stanislav Potočnik, who was also a shareholder. Klemen Mark Kete succeeded him in 2005. In 2008, the airline was acquired by Turkish MNG Airlines. The acquisition changed the scale and composition of the fleet: Solinair initially operated an Airbus A300 freighter registered in Slovenia and later added Boeing 737-400 freighters. Its fleet history also included the Saab 340F and the Let L-410 Turbolet. In July 2015, Solinair withdrew its entire fleet from service. The Saab 340 was returned to its lessor, while the two Boeing 737-400F aircraft were sold. From September 2015 onward, the company resumed or continued operations with Airbus A300-600RF aircraft. The available reference material does not provide a complete current fleet list, detailed ownership information, financial results, or a current corporate website. Solinair is positioned as a specialist European cargo and charter operator rather than a mass-market scheduled passenger airline. Its work is conducted largely on an ad-hoc or contract basis for airlines, logistics companies, and freight networks. In addition to flight operations, its historical maintenance and training activities reflect a broader aviation-services model. DHL is identified as an early and important contract customer, while the company has also been associated with cargo charter and ACMI services for other aviation and logistics clients.

Solinair was established in Slovenia in 1991 by two pilots and two business entrepreneurs. It began commercial activity with a PT6-powered Let L-410 UVP, flying under contract for DHL. The company's creation was notable because it was the first privately owned airline founded in Slovenia and was described in the available historical account as the first privately owned airline in the former Yugoslav republics. The airline initially developed around regional cargo operations. Two Let L-410 UVPE aircraft, registered as S5-BAE and S5-BAF, were used primarily for DHL freight services, with occasional passenger charter flights. Solinair also built complementary aviation businesses. Its Flight Training Organisation, later operating as an Approved Training Organisation, provided fixed-wing and helicopter instruction. Separately, a Part 145 maintenance organisation performed general-aviation maintenance and L-410 line maintenance. The training operation was not included in the later sale of the airline and continued independently under the Lippizanair air operator certificate. Captain Stanislav Potočnik served as Solinair's first chief executive and was also one of its shareholders. Klemen Mark Kete succeeded him as chief executive in 2005. Three years later, in 2008, Turkish airline MNG Airlines acquired Solinair. After the acquisition, the company moved into larger freighter operations, initially flying an Airbus A300 freighter registered in Slovenia. Its fleet was subsequently expanded with Boeing 737-400F aircraft. The historical fleet also included a Saab 340F and the original Let L-410 Turbolet. A significant fleet transition occurred in 2015. Solinair withdrew its entire fleet from service in July. The Saab 340 was returned to its lessor, and the two Boeing 737-400F aircraft were sold. From September of the same year, Solinair operated Airbus A300-600RF aircraft. The available reference material does not identify individual aircraft registrations for the later A300 operation or provide a complete current fleet inventory. Solinair's business model has remained focused on contract aviation instead of a broad scheduled passenger network. It undertakes ad-hoc cargo charter flights for airlines and logistics companies and provides ACMI services. The company has also offered passenger charter services and aircraft maintenance. DHL is specifically identified as an early contract customer, while the available material does not enumerate all later clients, routes, or operating bases. Financial data, current ownership details, and a verified official website are not available in the supplied sources.

• 2015

  Fleet withdrawal and transition to Airbus A300 freighters

  [1]Solinairen.wikipedia.org

  Solinair withdraws its fleet in July, sells two Boeing 737-400F aircraft, returns the Saab 340 to its lessor, and operates Airbus A300-600RF aircraft from September.

• 2008

  Acquisition by MNG Airlines

  [1]Solinairen.wikipedia.org

  Turkish MNG Airlines acquires Solinair. The flight-training organisation remains outside the transaction and continues separately under Lippizanair.

• 2005

  Klemen Mark Kete succeeds the first chief executive

  [1]Solinairen.wikipedia.org

  Klemen Mark Kete succeeds Captain Stanislav Potočnik as chief executive officer.

• 1991

  Solinair is founded

  [1]Solinairen.wikipedia.org

  Two pilots and two business entrepreneurs establish Solinair in Slovenia. The company becomes the first privately owned airline established in Slovenia and is described as the first such airline in the former Yugoslav republics.

• 1991

  Operations begin with the Let L-410

  [1]Solinairen.wikipedia.org

  Solinair starts operating a PT6-powered Let L-410 UVP under contract with DHL, establishing its early cargo-airline profile.

A specialist Slovenian provider of European regional cargo charter, ACMI, wet-lease, and related aviation services.

• Air cargo · 1991

  Charter cargo services

  Solinair's core offering consists of ad-hoc and contract cargo flights for logistics companies, airlines, and freight networks. Its early cargo operation was conducted for DHL with Let L-410 aircraft, while later fleet changes allowed the company to operate larger freighter aircraft, including Airbus A300 and Boeing 737-400F types.

• Passenger aviation

  Passenger charter services

  Passenger charter flying has been part of Solinair's service mix, although the available material characterizes it as occasional rather than as a scheduled network. The company has historically combined passenger charter activity with its more substantial cargo and contract-aviation operations.

• Aviation services

  ACMI and wet-lease services

  Solinair provides ACMI-style aviation services in which aircraft operations can be supplied to other airlines or logistics customers. The available reference material identifies ACMI services as part of the company's current operating model but does not specify individual contracts or routes.

• Aircraft maintenance · 1991

  Aircraft maintenance

  The company has operated a Part 145 maintenance organisation specializing in general-aviation maintenance and line maintenance for the L-410. The available material does not establish the current scope or independent status of this maintenance activity.

• Flight training · 1991

  Flight training

  Solinair historically operated a Flight Training Organisation, later an Approved Training Organisation, offering fixed-wing and helicopter training. This division was excluded from the 2008 MNG Airlines acquisition and continued separately under the Lippizanair air operator certificate.

• 2015

  Replace the previous fleet with Airbus A300-600RF operationsStrategy

  Background

  Solinair's fleet included a Saab 340 and two Boeing 737-400F aircraft before a major operational change in 2015.

  Action taken

  The company withdrew its entire fleet in July, returned the Saab 340 to its lessor, sold the two Boeing 737-400F aircraft, and began operating Airbus A300-600RF aircraft from September.

  Aftermath

  The change shifted the company's available freighter capacity toward Airbus A300-600RF aircraft, although the supplied sources do not provide subsequent fleet size or financial results.

  Source

• 2008

  Accept acquisition by MNG AirlinesM&A

  Background

  Solinair was a privately owned Slovenian cargo and charter operator with associated training and maintenance activities.

  Action taken

  MNG Airlines acquired the airline, while the flight-training organisation was excluded from the transaction and continued separately.

  Aftermath

  Following the acquisition, Solinair expanded its freighter profile, initially operating an Airbus A300 and later adding Boeing 737-400F aircraft.

  Source

1. 1Solinairen.wikipedia.org