In Morlaix, the airline Celeste obtained its air carrier certificate – Bretagne

The precious document was expected on the deadline of January 31: the air carrier’s certificate (AOC) granted to the Breton company Celeste, based at Morlaix airport (29), finally arrived less than two months later, this Friday, March 24, 2023.

Issued by the DGAC (Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile), and signed by Olivier Nevo, Deputy Director of the DSAC (Direction de la Sécurité de l’Aviation Civile) Ouest, it certifies “that Celeste is authorized to carry out airlines for commercial purposes”. The document also specifies the operational specifications, namely the “transport of passengers and freight”, in the “Europe zone”.

The CTA, a technical prerequisite

Created in August 2021 by Olivier Besnehard (former boss of Vueling Airlines France) and Arnaud de Noray, the regional company Celeste was positioned at the end of 2022 for the resumption of operation of the regular Brest-Orly line. It had obtained mid-December from Cohor (the regulatory body) ?twelve slots (slots) on this line from April 2023, subject to compliance, that is to say obtaining its CTA.

It is now done.

This French regular airline CTA marks the fact that we have a team and operational procedures.

“This is the culmination of more than two years of work. This CTA of a French regular airline marks the fact that we have a team and operational procedures”, rejoiced, this Saturday, Olivier Besnehard, co-founder of Celeste.

Satisfaction shared by the mayor of Morlaix and president of Morlaix Co, Jean-Paul Vermot, for whom “obtaining the CTA is recognition, an important step”, and who “hopes in the days to come to obtain the license operating”.

Next step, the operating license

Because this technical condition of the CTA being fulfilled, it now remains to obtain a valid operating license. To do this, Celeste, supported by Morlaix Co, the CCIMBO, the Department of Finistère and private funders, must finalize its budget, because the Brittany Region has not yet voted the promised subsidy of €2 million in advance reimbursable. However, the validation of the financing plan by the Air Transport Department is the sine qua non of its flight: without money, no operating license. And without a license, it is impossible to take off any plane.

“Our license, necessary to sell tickets, is under investigation, says, confident, Olivier Besnehard. And we have one plane available, a 100-seat CRJ, formerly operated by Hop, which bought it from Brit Air.” An aircraft registered “F-HMLA”, type “Bombardier CL60 2E25 1000”, as specified on the CTA.

While the competing Norman company Chalair for its part started Brest-Orly flights at the beginning of March, money is for Celeste the sinews of war in this duel in the open Breton sky.