Tailwind looks for more aircraft to meet its scheduled aspirations

The Anglo-Turkish start-up Tailwind Airlines has said it is in the market for two further aircraft to meet its plans to begin scheduled services.

The airline obtained its AOC on 12th May and began charter operations with its three Boeing 737 aircraft. The company says it needs two more aircraft in order to have the minimum criteria necessary to begin scheduled flights from its base in Istanbul to key European markets.

It currently operates a range of charter flights from Istanbul, Antalya and Izmir to the Netherlands, Italy, Iran and Israel as well as wet-lease services on behalf of carriers such as Turkey's Saga Airlines and Onur Air.

It took delivery of its third Boeing 737-400 in March.

Managing director Safi Ergin " said “We plan to add two additional aircraft and we can then fly scheduled services next year. If you have fewer than five aircraft you can't fly scheduled services."

Ergin’s proposal is to buy or lease two more 737-400s early next year and begin scheduled flights by May 2010.