Corendon Airlines Europe was established in February 2017 as a subsidiary of the Corendon Group in Birkirkara. On May 26, 2017, it conducted its inaugural flight from Malta to Naples.[6] The sole owner of the company is AY Malta Holding Ltd., with its shareholders being E. Uslu Holding B.V. and Y. Karaer Holding B.V..[7] Erol (also known as Atılay) Uslu and Yildiray Karaer are the co-founders of the Corendon Group.[8] In 2017, Corendon Airlines Europe appeared in publications related to the Paradise Papers.[9] In June 2020, the company's headquarters were relocated to Luqa Airport.
In April 2023, it became publicly known that Corendon Airlines is facing financial difficulties. Among other issues, the airline owes the German state approximately 6 million euros because it had not paid air traffic taxes for an extended period.[10]
Apart from the base airports, Corendon Airlines Europe serves mostly holiday destinations such as Turkey, Greek Islands, Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, Egypt and Tel Aviv.
Accidents and incidents
On October 1, 2021, several medical emergencies occurred on flight XR1050 from Cologne Bonn Airport to the island of Rhodes, when passengers passed out. Helpers present on board and crew members came for help. According to witnesses, panic broke out, but the flight was not interrupted, as a doctor on board says, it was safe to continue. The incident is being investigated by the Maltese Aviation Safety Authority.[12]
