UK startup Sentra Airways (SER, Manchester International) will take delivery of its first aircraft this summer - a used A330-200 on long-term lease from Air Lease Corporation, the lessor announced. ch-aviation has learned that the jet in question is msn 1138, a 12-year-old jet last in service with Sichuan Airlines (3U, Chengdu Shuangliu) as B-6517. It is currently parked at Chengdu Shuangliu having conducted its last commercial flight on March 11.

Operating from Manchester International, Sentra Airways plans to debut in the third/fourth quarter of 2022, offering niche point-to-point scheduled flights between the UK and West Africa, the company said in a statement. It is currently completing its certification with the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The launch destination will be Accra, Ghana, with more routes to follow, including other destinations in Africa and the USA. Its head office is located on the outskirts of Bradford in the north of England.

According to the company registrar for England and Wales, the company was incorporated (company number 11903393) on March 25, 2019, as a private limited company under the name of Majestic Mallard Airways. Its start-up capital was GBP600,000 pounds (USD780,875). The nature of business is listed as scheduled and non-scheduled passenger air transport.

It changed its name to Sentra Airways on January 20, 2020. The shareholders are named as Balqis Ismail and Ishmael Musah. Both are British citizens.

"Sentra Airways is delighted to have finally reached this significant milestone," Musah, who is also the chairman and accountable manager, said in the statement.

"We look forward to further collaborations with ALC and completing the regulatory approvals to gain our UK Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) certification later this year," added Executive Director Bruce Fenton.

Sentra Airways had originally planned to start on September 9, 2021, according to its social media posts. In April 2021, it was advertising that it was selling tickets for USD450 return between Manchester and Accra. However, at this stage, the website is non-functioning.