- AlbaStar has announced the temporary suspension of commercial operations
- The airline is filing for voluntary bankruptcy
- The carrier cited high accumulated debt from the Covid-19 pandemic
- AlbaStar also cited soaring fuel costs and geopolitical pressures
- Talks with potential investors did not materialise
Dublin based lessors are on alert as AlbaStar announced the temporary suspension of commercial operations and an impending filing for voluntary bankruptcy according to Spanish trade publications Preferente and elEconomista.
The airline operates a fleet of five Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft two of which are leased out of Ireland, EC-NAB from AWAS and EC-MTV from Caslelake aviation.
The airline’s CEO Oriol Hernández revealed the suspension citing high accumulated debt from the Covid-19 pandemic, soaring fuel costs and geopolitical pressures. Talks with potential investors and a 100pc sale process did not materialise in time.
Earlier in 2026 media outlets covered the airline’s decision to close its long-standing operational base at Bergamo Airport in Italy after 15 years. This followed a previous 2024-2025 strategic push where the company sought a new investor or buyer backed previously by Sherpa Capital. The airline had also deployed aircraft under wet-lease agreements to fly for the Argentine low-cost carrier Flybondi.
AlbaStar is a privately-owned Spanish charter airline.
