Centavia
Encyclopedia
Centavia was a short-lived Serbia
n low cost airline
. Its hub airport was Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport
in Serbia while its technical base was in Cologne Bonn Airport
in Germany
. The airline declared bankruptcy on November 8, 2006.
, on 15 June 2006 from Meridiana
. The aircraft was re-registered as YU-AGL1 2
34 and re-painted with Centavia's livery. Centavia first (charter) flight was on July 8, 2006 to Corfu
from Belgrade
and it operated only charter flights during the summer of 2006. The airline's second aircraft arrived on August 17, 2006 and has been registered as YU-AGM12
3.
Centavia was to be the first airline to operate flights from Belgrade to Zagreb
since the dissolution of Yugoslavia
. However, the Croatian Authorities rejected the airline's application, saying that no bilateral agreements existed between the two states and that the European Open Skies Agreement, ratified by Croatia, would not be applicable in this case. Similarly the Montenegrin government denied the airline landing rights due to Serbian withdrawal of the AOC of Montenegro Airlines
' daughter company - Master Airways, this rejection dramatically deteriorated the economic ties between the two former Yugoslav Republics. It was later confirmed that the European Commission
requested detailed explanation from both the Croatian and Montenegrin Authorities over their rejection of landing rights. The airline demise was seen as collateral damage of the unresolved issues and disputes between the Republics of former Yugoslavia
. Only Slovenia
approved Centavia's operations request without any difficulties. Centavia was to code share on the Belgrade to Ljubljana flights with Adria Airways
of Slovenia.
Centavia had received permissions and landing rights from Slovenia, Germany, Italy and Switzerland and planned to start flights to these states in Winter 2006.
Centavia also held informal talks with Wizz Air
of Hungary to jointly operate certain flights.
Centavia's two leased aircraft were returned to the lessor, BAE Systems
, on November 9, 2006.
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
n low cost airline
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
. Its hub airport was Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport is Serbia's busiest airport, also known as Surčin , after a nearby Belgrade district.Named after Nikola Tesla, the airport is situated west, of central Belgrade, in the Municipality of Surčin, surrounded by Syrmia's fertile lowlands...
in Serbia while its technical base was in Cologne Bonn Airport
Cologne Bonn Airport
Cologne/Bonn Airport is an international airport located in the district of Porz in the city of Cologne, Germany, and is surrounded by the Wahner Heide nature reserve. The airport is centrally located in the Cologne/Bonn Region southeast of Cologne city centre and northeast of Bonn...
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The airline declared bankruptcy on November 8, 2006.
History
Centavia was founded in 2005 and received its first aircraft, BAe 146-200BAe 146
The British Aerospace 146 is a medium-sized commercial airliner formerly manufactured in the United Kingdom by British Aerospace, later part of BAE Systems. Production ran from 1983 until 2002. Manufacture of an improved version known as the Avro RJ began in 1992...
, on 15 June 2006 from Meridiana
Meridiana
Meridiana fly is an airline with its head office on the grounds of Olbia - Costa Smeralda Airport in Olbia, Sardinia, Italy. It is Italy's second largest airline operating domestic and European services, as well as intercontinental flights. The airline mainly operates out of Cagliari-Elmas Airport,...
. The aircraft was re-registered as YU-AGL1 2
Linus Airways
Linus Airways was a regional airline in Indonesia. It served large city destinations, such as Pekanbaru, Medan, Semarang, Palembang, Batam and Bandung. The airline name is an abbreviation of "Lintasan Nusantara" ....
34 and re-painted with Centavia's livery. Centavia first (charter) flight was on July 8, 2006 to Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
from Belgrade
Belgrade
Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
and it operated only charter flights during the summer of 2006. The airline's second aircraft arrived on August 17, 2006 and has been registered as YU-AGM12
Romavia
Romavia, also known as Romanian Aviation Company, is an airline based in Bucharest, Romania. As a state-owned company controlled by the Romanian Ministry of National Defense, it has offered VIP state and ministerial flights, as well as chartered and scheduled passenger and cargo services out of its...
3.
Centavia was to be the first airline to operate flights from Belgrade to Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
since the dissolution of Yugoslavia
Dissolution of Yugoslavia
The Breakup of Yugoslavia refers to a series of conflicts and political upheavals resulting in the dissolution of Yugoslavia . The SFR Yugoslavia was a country that occupied a strip of land stretching from Central Europe to the Balkans – a region with a history of ethnic conflict...
. However, the Croatian Authorities rejected the airline's application, saying that no bilateral agreements existed between the two states and that the European Open Skies Agreement, ratified by Croatia, would not be applicable in this case. Similarly the Montenegrin government denied the airline landing rights due to Serbian withdrawal of the AOC of Montenegro Airlines
Montenegro Airlines
Montenegro Airlines d.o.o., operating as Montenegro Airlines, is the national carrier airline of the country of Montenegro, and flag carrier of the Montenegro, headquartered in Podgorica. It operates scheduled services in Europe, as well as charter flights throughout Europe during the summer...
' daughter company - Master Airways, this rejection dramatically deteriorated the economic ties between the two former Yugoslav Republics. It was later confirmed that the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
requested detailed explanation from both the Croatian and Montenegrin Authorities over their rejection of landing rights. The airline demise was seen as collateral damage of the unresolved issues and disputes between the Republics of former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
. Only Slovenia
Slovenia
Slovenia , officially the Republic of Slovenia , is a country in Central and Southeastern Europe touching the Alps and bordering the Mediterranean. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Croatia to the south and east, Hungary to the northeast, and Austria to the north, and also has a small portion of...
approved Centavia's operations request without any difficulties. Centavia was to code share on the Belgrade to Ljubljana flights with Adria Airways
Adria Airways
Adria Airways d.d. is the Slovenian national airline. Today, the majority of Adria Airways business is in scheduled flights. Adria operates to 16 cities throughout Europe this winter and offers excellent connections to South East Europe. It is a Star Alliance member since 2004 and a Lufthansa...
of Slovenia.
Centavia had received permissions and landing rights from Slovenia, Germany, Italy and Switzerland and planned to start flights to these states in Winter 2006.
Centavia also held informal talks with Wizz Air
Wizz Air
Wizz Air Hungary Légiközlekedési Kft. is a Hungarian low-cost airline with headquarters in the Airport Business Park C2 in Vecsés, close to Budapest Ferihegy International Airport, Hungary. The airline typically uses secondary airports serving many cities across Europe.- History :The airline was...
of Hungary to jointly operate certain flights.
Centavia's two leased aircraft were returned to the lessor, BAE Systems
BAE Systems
BAE Systems plc is a British multinational defence, security and aerospace company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that has global interests, particularly in North America through its subsidiary BAE Systems Inc. BAE is among the world's largest military contractors; in 2009 it was the...
, on November 9, 2006.