Baltia moves closer to launch

A few months ago I wrote about start-up Baltia Air Lines, which seeks to initially connect New York with St. Petersburg, Russia. It seems like they're moving closer to getting off the ground, now that they've registered and taken delivery of their first aircraft, a Boeing 747-200. The airplane, which was delivered in 1975 to TAP Air Portugal and has subsequently flown for Pakistan International Airlines, is to be registered N705BL. Baltia paid $475,000 for it (and it came without engines, apparently), but the airline has announced that it has started overhauling the plane, "preparing [it] for upgrades to conform to the company's business model, and for maintenance."

I haven't been able to find out much more about Baltia's progress, although apparently the Wall Street Journal is getting interested, which could add a bit more credibility to the start-up operation, not to mention some more facts about the subject. (If you do have any updates on Baltia, please do let me know.)

7 comments:

Seenath Kumar said...

Is it launched or is it waiting for some approvals.

Seenath
Flight Booking

Anonymous said...

As a veteran captain for a major US air carrier with 16000 military and air carrier flight hours, and many thousands of hours on "heavy" jets flying oceanic routes, I can say that I would be a bit leary about flying on a 'refurbished' 747-200 (1960's technology, btw...) that has been put through the ringer and put out to pasture. (It was retired for a reason!) Also, being perhaps more familiar with Russian aviation than most, I say, "good luck" to anyone brave enough to fly on such an operation!

Aviation Jobs said...

Hope the Indian Aviation is spared...Ahem!


Nitin Barekere

Airline Complaints said...

i second your thought 100%. as someone with military experience as well, both in the forefront and as a passenger, i do not trust this build. like i always say, let is soak up over time, observe and then make a move, if you must...

Unknown said...

The airline would be based in Chicago and keep the United name.

Airline Job 

cairns143 said...

Hi there,

I congratulate for the baltia airlines progress keep it up...........

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vedoza said...

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