New investors are planning to resurrect the UK's Monarch Airlines (1968) brand with a fleet of fifteen Airbus narrowbodies to serve North Africa and Gibraltar from London Luton, and expect to formally launch a new certification process with the UK Civil Aviation Authority by the end of September.
In an emailed response to ch-aviation, the new carrier's board chairman, Daniel Ellingham, confirmed: "We expect to formally launch the AOC [air operator's certificate] process in four to six weeks, subject to the beginning of CAA talks".
On the envisaged fleet, he said: "We are exploring all available financing options for fifteen A319-100s and A320 aircraft with a strategic UK partner". He confirmed the resurrected brand would - like its predecessor - be headquartered at London Luton, but could not confirm any bases at present.
"Monarch Airlines will target a variety of underserved routes from the UK, primarily for leisure services. We are looking to operate to North Africa and Gibraltar, among others, with these regions remaining underserved following the collapse of the previous Monarch in 2017. Our business strategy will focus on higher-end and sustainable tourism," Ellingham disclosed.
However, he declined to reveal the identities of any investors at present. Nor was he prepared to comment on any seed capital for the new venture, but said the company expected to file full confirmation statements in coming days with the UK's Companies House. This followed a report by Airways magazine that the new owners have secured initial investment from UK and European Union investors and also plan to relaunch an online travel agency along with the airline.
Ellingham also declined to discuss the transfer of Monarch Airlines' branding. "Formal information on the transfer of Monarch branding rights cannot yet be published," he advised. Monarch Airlines' insolvency practitioners were not immediately available for comment. According to the joint administrators' final progress report before the company was dissolved on March 30, 2021, the key asset realisation for the company came from intellectual property rights and the sale of its Luton slots, which realised GBP54 million pounds (almost USD69 million).
Founded in 1974, Monarch Airlines Ltd alongside Monarch Travel Group units Monarch Holidays Ltd, First Aviation Ltd (previously trading as Monarch Airlines), Avro Ltd, and Somewhere2stay Ltd went into administration on October 2, 2017, after the company failed to renew its Air Travel Organiser's Licence. At the time, Monarch's fleet consisted of ten A320-200s, twenty-five A321-200s, and one B737-800 leased from third parties.
According to Companies House records, the reincarnated Monarch Airlines Limited was incorporated on January 18, 2023, with a share capital of GBP100 (USD127). Jake Charles Johnson was listed as 75% or more shareholder. On August 18, Ellingham was appointed as board chairman and person with significant control, coinciding with the termination of Johnson's appointment. A qualified engineer, Ellingham's background includes operations management and aviation security. He lists previous positions at Kigass Aero Components Group and phs Group, and advisory positions with Swissair, Citibank, and Austrian Airlines.
