Moldova-based HiSky expands operations amidst unique challenges

HiSky operates a small fleet of eight narrowbody aircraft despite serving diverse destinations. Founded in 2019, the airline is led by Iulian Scorpan and has plans for expansion.

The airline's fleet includes an A319-100 operated by HiSky's Moldovan arm, while HiSky Europe uses Airbus A320 family jets equipped with 180 seats each and two Airbus A321LR jets configured with 220 seats each. For long-haul flights, HiSky operates a single Airbus A330-200 jet leased from Air Lease Corporation.

HiSky faced challenges before commencing operations. In February 2020, Moldovan authorities halted its air operator's certificate process due to registration irregularities. Despite these issues and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting its launch plans, HiSky secured its Romanian air operator's certificate by December 2020 and began flights from Cluj-Napoca in February 2021.

Today, HiSky serves over a dozen destinations with bases in Chișinău, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, and Oradea. The airline offers year-round flights to major European cities like Brussels, Paris, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, and Milan while operating seasonal charter flights to North Africa and other tourist destinations during summer months.

Industry analysts find it challenging to classify HiSky due to its mixed operational strategy combining elements of low-cost carriers with some full-service network characteristics. The airline operates all-economy configurations on narrowbody aircraft but includes premium seats on long-haul routes like those to New York.

HiSky represents an intriguing blend of business models as it navigates between traditional low-cost carrier strategies and those of full-service airlines like Condor but on a smaller scale.