A very interesting rumour has been circulating in Hungarian media these last days: a new Hungarian airline is said to be under preparation (again). This time, the story seems to be slightly more serious than previously. Still, many questions and uncertainties remain. And this is not to mention the outright nonsense affirmations of some of the articles.
Xpatloop.com reports:
"Sólyom (Falcon) Hungarian Airways will be the name of the next Hungarian Airlines and will shine in red, white and green colours. According to Magyar Nemzet Sólyom Hungarian Ltd. will already start to operate with its six-aircraft fleet in August 2013. If all plans work out the new airline can show off with about 50 airplanes by 2017. The fleet’s worth is nearly 4 billion euros and will engage 700 employees in the first year. Later on this number can go up to 3000.
Although, the company is already called “the offspring of Malev” and “the new national airline” the state does not participate in it in any form, allegedly there are Middle-Eastern investors behind it.
At first Sólyom will only have European and Middle-Eastern destinations, but starting from next year it will possibly fly overseas as well. By that time, the company is hoping for a passenger turnover of 3 million, which is still being dwarfed by the planned 8 million in 2017.
Sólyom will not be considered as a low-cost airline, but will compete in the premium segment.
Today, Hungarian media quoted József Vágó, former director of the National Transport Authority and supposed candidate CEO of the company as saying that a deal has been signed on the leasing of the first 6 aircraft, apparently Airbus 320s (Népszabadság, the socialist daily mentions "Boeing 737 Classics"). It is unclear who the deal was signed with.
Also, it has been widely reported that the first plane of Sólyom will be presented during the National Day celebrations on August 20.
Budapest Airport, on its Facebook page has even published a picture of the painting of the new carrier:
My current personal take on the matter is:
- It is today very hard to decide if this is a giant media hack or indeed a serious attempt to launch a BUD based new national carrier. I feel inclined to believe it's the former.
- There has so far been no official press releases or press conferences, information (although convergent) has been available through various, mostly government owned or influenced media sources and Budapest Airport. Having said that, Sólyom Airlines is said to be funded by unidentified Middle Eastern investors with no indication of government involvement.
- The naming, design elements, the scarce information available on the market positioning and the communication are all extremely unprofessional. I hope there are other plans still unpublished or in the making.
What do you think?