Airlines SF Aviation Holding acquires Small Planet Airlines Germany

Small Planet Airlines Germany, a subsidiary of the Lithuanian leisure and charter carrier was forced to file for bankruptcy in September 2018. Two months later, the airline has now found a buyer. SF Aviation Holding, parent company of the Belgium VLM Airlines, has finalized the takeover of the German airline.

After the insolvency in September, Small Planet Airlines was able to continue its flight operations until November 1. To reactivate its AOC (Air Operator’s Certificate), the carrier needs to resume flights within the next six months.

Both sides have not yet announced any details of the planned continued operation. In summer, Small Planet Germany had deployed ten Airbus A320s for the tour operators TUI and Thomas Cook, among others.

German media reports, the new owner could continue operations with just one or two Airbus A320 Family aircraft during Winter 2018/2019. Many of the former pilots have now applied to other airlines, like Iceland’s low cost carrier WOW Air.

Whether the name Small Planet Airlines will be continued is not known either. SF Aviation Holding owned relaunched the insolvent VLM Airlines in October 2017. With six Fokker 50, VLM Airlines operated a European network. Due to low demand, the airline was forced to cease all operations in August 2018 and went into liquidation.