Proposed Hungarian start-up carrier Sólyom Hungarian Airways has hit a temporary setback in its ambitions to launch operations to destinations across Europe and the Middle East from Budapest’s Liszt Ferenc International Airport filling what its backers perceive as a void that still exists following the collapse of Malev Hungarian Airways in February 2012.

The new business, backed by Middle East and European investors and under the stewardship of József Vágó, a former director of the National Transport Authority, had hoped to bypass a long certification programme by acquiring the operating licence of existing company, Avicraft. However, the Hungarian national transport authority, Nemzeti Közlekedési Hatóság (NKH) has rejected its application to switch the activities of Avicraft from ultralight and glider operations to commercial air services, according to local reports, and instead requested the carrier to apply for a brand new licence.

Sólyom Hungarian Airways had intended to launch operations with a fleet of six aircraft during the second half of 2013 with ambitious plans to eventually grow to a fleet of 50 aircraft within four years, but it may now have to reschedule its development plans. It is understood that the carrier may now initially launch operations on a charter basis before switching to scheduled operations at a later date.

The full-service carrier had suggested it would carry three million passengers during its first 12 months of operation, although airlines already serving the Hungarian capital have suggested it may find it difficult to compete in a market that has already back-filled much of the capacity lost after Malev’s closure. According to a company executive the first of the airline's aircraft are currently in the UK awaiting delivery as early as next month. More formal plans of the business, including its proposed route network, are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. It is the The HUB's understanding that the carrier will initially operate using a leased Boeing 737-500.