Play Europe, a new branch of the Icelandic airline Fly Play hf., just received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate.
The official handover happened during a ceremony in Malta on the morning of March 31, 2025. This marks a big moment for the Icelandic carrier.
Establishment of Play Europe
Last October, Fly Play hf. shared plans to reorganize its business. As part of that shake-up, they created Play Europe, a Malta-based subsidiary.
The aim of the exercise is to take on projects for other airlines across Europe. Now, with the Maltese AOC in hand, Play Europe is ready to commence operations.
Fly Play hf. runs a fleet of ten aircraft. Through Play Europe, they’ve already struck a deal with an Eastern European airline. This agreement involves leasing three aircraft under the new Maltese AOC.
These particular aircraft won’t fly to or from Iceland. Instead, they’ll connect cities within mainland Europe. Additionally, they won’t carry the Play brand.
The pilots and senior cabin crew for these flights will work for Play Europe. They’ll be hired and stationed in the country where the leasing airline is based.
Meanwhile, Fly Play hf. will keep running its low-cost airline out of Keflavík, Iceland, with most of its fleet remaining there.
The first aircraft under the Maltese AOC is an Airbus A321neo, built in 2018. Its registration is 9H-PEA, and it’s now ready to commence flight operations.
Einar Örn Ólafsson, CEO of PLAY, saw this as a key step forward. “These leasing projects will boost our profits, just as we predicted,” he said.
“They’ll also make our operations steadier and more reliable, with a bright financial future ahead.” He added that getting the AOC earlier than expected shows the hard work of the team.
“Our staff put in months of effort with top-notch professionalism. We’re really proud of this achievement,” he said.
Charles Pace, the Director General of Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate, spoke at the ceremony too. He welcomed Play Europe to Malta’s aviation community. “I’m thrilled to see this investment come to life,” he said.
He thanked everyone involved, from the inspectors to the PLAY team, for their careful work. “The process went smoothly, and I’m excited to watch this airline grow in the coming years,” he added.
Looking Ahead: Expansion Beyond Iceland
For Play Europe, this AOC opens new doors. It lets them expand beyond Iceland and tap into Europe’s busy aviation market.
The leased aircraft will serve routes that fit the needs of their Eastern European partner. At the same time, Fly Play hf. stays focused on its Icelandic roots, offering affordable flights from Keflavík.
This milestone reflects months of planning and teamwork. With the AOC secured ahead of schedule, Play Europe is off to a strong start.
Both the carrier and Malta’s aviation leaders are optimistic about what’s next. As Play Europe takes flight, it’s clear there is a firm gameplan and they’re aiming high.
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