Trade Air

Trade Air d.o.o. is a privately owned Croatian airline headquartered in Zagreb and based at Zagreb Airport. Its principal activities are passenger charter flights, cargo operations, and ad hoc or chain-charter flying arranged for travel companies, governments, airlines, and other customers. The carrier also has experience with the transport of dangerous goods, giving it a role beyond conventional leisure passenger charters. The company was established in April 1994 and began operations on 22 May 1995. In its early years, Trade Air operated Let L-410 Turbolet aircraft, using the type for passenger and cargo work. Between November 2004 and February 2005, it based one of its Let 410 aircraft in Bosnia and Herzegovina for an unsuccessful attempt to operate flights between Mostar and Zagreb under the Bosnia Airlines brand. The short-lived project illustrates the company's willingness to pursue regional operating arrangements while maintaining a relatively flexible charter-oriented business model. Trade Air expanded its aircraft portfolio in 2004 by adding two Fokker 100 aircraft. The Fokkers entered passenger charter service in March 2005 and subsequently enabled the airline to undertake larger-capacity international assignments. In November 2007, Trade Air used its Fokker 100 aircraft in Australia to transport journalists during the Australian federal elections; it was one of two dedicated carriers assigned to that work. The company received International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit certification in May 2008, an important operational and commercial credential for an airline seeking contracts with larger aviation and travel-industry partners. Although charter flying has remained central to the business, Trade Air has also operated scheduled services at different times. Until June 2010, it operated scheduled flights linking Zagreb, Ljubljana, and Sarajevo with Let L-410 aircraft, alongside passenger and cargo charter operations. In summer 2013, it began scheduled service between Osijek and Zagreb with support from Croatia's Ministry for Sea Transport and Infrastructure. The route was restored after an absence of 26 years and connected eastern Croatia with the country's capital. From May 2016, Trade Air operated scheduled flights for Croatia Airlines from Zagreb to destinations including Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dubrovnik, and Lisbon. The airline has also developed partnerships outside Croatia. In February 2017, it obtained a contract from Swiss travel agency PowdAir to operate winter ski-charter flights from Sion Airport to multiple destinations. In 2018, it secured an ongoing operating contract with Israeli airline Israir Airlines for flights from Tel Aviv to European destinations. These arrangements reflect Trade Air's role as a capacity provider and wet-lease or charter operator rather than solely as a carrier selling a large, fixed network under its own brand. Trade Air has operated several aircraft types over its history, including Let L-410 Turbolets, Fokker 100s, an ATR 42-500, an Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia, a British Aerospace Jetstream 32, and Airbus A319 aircraft. The company retired Airbus A319 registration 9A-BTJ in September 2024; that aircraft had operated under the My Wings airline name. Trade Air remains focused on flexible passenger charter, airline contract flying, cargo, and specialist transport services. Its business is distinguished by the combination of regional-airline capability, larger narrow-body charter operations, and outsourced flying for other aviation brands.

Trade Air was established in Croatia in April 1994 and commenced airline operations on 22 May 1995. From the beginning, its business was structured around operational flexibility rather than a large permanent scheduled network. The company undertook passenger and cargo charter work, including both prearranged chain-charter programs and individual ad hoc flights. It also developed capability in the transportation of dangerous goods. The airline's initial fleet included Let L-410 Turbolet aircraft, a type suited to regional routes and smaller-scale cargo assignments. In late 2004, Trade Air placed one of its Let 410s in Bosnia and Herzegovina in an attempt to operate Mostar–Zagreb services under the Bosnia Airlines name. The initiative lasted from November 2004 to February 2005 and ultimately failed. During the same period, Trade Air broadened its capacity by adding two Fokker 100 aircraft in 2004. These aircraft entered passenger charter operations in March 2005 and allowed the company to serve larger groups and longer international sectors. On 30 October 2005, Trade Air Flight 729 crashed near Bergamo, Italy, shortly after departing Orio al Serio Airport on a night cargo flight to Zagreb. The aircraft, a Let L-410 Turbolet registered as 9A-BTA, was operating in poor weather. Two pilots and one passenger were killed. The accident remains the most serious event identified in the available company history. Trade Air's Fokker 100 aircraft were used for a notable assignment in Australia in November 2007, when the airline transported journalists during the Australian federal elections. Trade Air was one of two dedicated carriers used for that purpose. In March of the same year, anonymous allegations claimed that the airline had overloaded aircraft and that some pilots had worked without receiving a minimum 36-hour rest period within successive seven-day periods. The allegations were dismissed by legislators, and the available reference material does not describe a resulting enforcement action. The company received IOSA certification in May 2008. This audit status was significant for a carrier whose business depended on contracts, international charter work, and cooperation with established airlines and travel companies. Trade Air continued operating Let 410 aircraft on scheduled regional services until June 2010, including flights between Zagreb, Ljubljana, and Sarajevo, while also maintaining passenger and cargo charter activities. In summer 2013, the airline entered another scheduled-service role when it began operating between Osijek and Zagreb with support from Croatia's Ministry for Sea Transport and Infrastructure. The service restored a route that had not been served for 26 years. In May 2016, Trade Air began operating scheduled flights for Croatia Airlines from Zagreb to Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dubrovnik, and Lisbon. This work demonstrated the company's ability to provide aircraft and operating capacity for another national carrier while retaining its own charter identity. Trade Air expanded its international contract portfolio in the following years. In February 2017, Swiss travel agency PowdAir selected the airline for winter ski-charter flights from Sion Airport to several destinations. In 2018, Trade Air secured an ongoing arrangement with Israeli airline Israir Airlines to operate flights from Tel Aviv to destinations in Europe. Such contracts formed an important part of the airline's market role because they allowed partner companies to add capacity or serve routes without operating all flights with their own aircraft and crews. The fleet evolved over time. Former aircraft included seven Let L-410 Turbolets, three Fokker 100s, an ATR 42-500 leased from Danish Air Transport, an Embraer EMB 120 Brasilia leased from Budapest Aircraft Service, and a British Aerospace Jetstream 32 leased from AIS Airlines. In September 2024, Trade Air retired Airbus A319 9A-BTJ, which had flown under the My Wings name. The company's continuing identity is that of a privately owned Croatian airline combining charter passenger services, contract operations, cargo flying, scheduled regional work, and specialist logistics.

• 2024

  Airbus A319 retirement

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  Trade Air retired Airbus A319 9A-BTJ, previously operated under the My Wings name.

• 2018

  Israir operating agreement

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  The airline secured an ongoing contract with Israir Airlines for flights from Tel Aviv to European destinations.

• 2017

  PowdAir ski-charter contract

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  Trade Air secured a contract to operate winter ski-charter flights from Sion Airport.

• 2016

  Croatia Airlines contract flying

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  Trade Air began operating scheduled Croatia Airlines services from Zagreb to several European destinations.

• 2013

  Osijek–Zagreb scheduled service resumes

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  The airline began operating the Osijek–Zagreb route with government support, restoring service after a 26-year gap.

• 2008

  IOSA certification

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  Trade Air received International Air Transport Association Operational Safety Audit certification.

• 2007

  Australian election media transport

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  Trade Air operated Fokker 100 flights in Australia to transport journalists covering the federal elections.

• 2005

  Fokker 100 charter service begins

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  The airline began using Fokker 100 aircraft for passenger charter flights in March.

• 2004

  Fokker 100 aircraft added

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  Trade Air added two Fokker 100 aircraft, expanding its capacity for passenger charter operations.

• 1995

  Commercial operations begin

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  The airline began operations on 22 May, initially using Let L-410 aircraft for regional passenger and cargo work.

• 1994

  Company established

  [1]Trade Airen.wikipedia.org

  Trade Air was established in Croatia in April as a privately owned airline.

A flexible Croatian charter and contract operator serving passenger, cargo, regional scheduled, and specialist aviation requirements.

• Airline service · 1995

  Passenger charter flights

  Trade Air organizes passenger charter flying for travel companies, tour operators, and other contracting customers. Its charter work has included regional aircraft operations and larger-capacity international flights, allowing customers to arrange dedicated transportation without operating their own airline fleet.

• Air cargo service · 1995

  Cargo charter and ad hoc cargo operations

  Cargo operations form a second core activity. Trade Air has operated scheduled or individually arranged cargo flights and has handled specialist logistics, including the transportation of dangerous goods. Its early Let L-410 operations and later international assignments supported both regional and ad hoc cargo requirements.

• Airline capacity provider · 2016

  Contract and wet-lease flying

  The airline supplies operating capacity to other aviation and travel companies. Examples include scheduled flying for Croatia Airlines, winter charter work arranged by PowdAir, and an ongoing operating arrangement with Israir Airlines. These services position Trade Air as a flexible partner for route and seasonal capacity requirements.

• Scheduled airline service · 1995

  Scheduled regional passenger services

  At various times Trade Air has operated scheduled regional routes, including Zagreb–Ljubljana–Sarajevo services and the Osijek–Zagreb connection. Scheduled operations complement the airline's charter and contract business and demonstrate its ability to serve public-interest and regional connectivity requirements.

• 2018

  Israir contract flyingOther

  Background

  Israir Airlines required operating support for European services from Tel Aviv.

  Action taken

  Trade Air secured an ongoing contract to operate those flights.

  Aftermath

  The arrangement extended Trade Air's contract-operator activity into the Israeli-European market.

  Source

• 2017

  PowdAir winter charter agreementOther

  Background

  Swiss travel agency PowdAir sought an operator for seasonal ski-charter flights from Sion Airport.

  Action taken

  Trade Air secured the contract to operate flights to several winter destinations.

  Aftermath

  The agreement broadened the airline's seasonal European charter activity.

  Source

• 2016

  Croatia Airlines operating partnershipStrategy

  Background

  Croatia Airlines required operating capacity for a group of routes from Zagreb.

  Action taken

  Trade Air began operating Croatia Airlines services to Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dubrovnik, and Lisbon.

  Aftermath

  The agreement strengthened Trade Air's position as a contract operator for established airlines.

  Source

• 2013

  Return to the Osijek–Zagreb routeStrategy

  Background

  The Osijek–Zagreb connection had not been served for 26 years, creating a regional connectivity gap.

  Action taken

  Trade Air launched scheduled service on the route with support from Croatia's Ministry for Sea Transport and Infrastructure.

  Aftermath

  The airline expanded its role beyond charter flying into supported domestic scheduled connectivity.

  Source

• 2004

  Capacity expansion through Fokker 100 aircraftStrategy

  Background

  Trade Air's established regional aircraft operations were supplemented by a need for greater passenger capacity and international charter capability.

  Action taken

  The airline added two Fokker 100 aircraft and began using the type for passenger charter flights in March 2005.

  Aftermath

  The aircraft supported larger charter assignments, including the 2007 Australian election media-transport operation.

  Source

1. 1Trade Airen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Trade Air official websitetrade-air.com