While the first half of 2026 saw the collapse of several small and mid-size airlines, sometimes plans to launch a new one end up getting shut down even before a single plane gets off the ground.
Envisioned as the world’s first zero-emission regional airline by British green investor Dale Vince, British carrier Ecojet Airlines entered voluntary liquidation, or the British equivalent of a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, in January 2026 after the initial plan of purchasing old Twin Otter and ATR 72 planes and converting their kerosene engines for hydrogen-electric ones started running up heavy costs.
Maeve Aerospace, a Dutch hydro-electric airplane developer was also recently declared insolvent by a Dutch court after the initial plan that caught the attention of multiple investors ultimately failed to take off.
Shareholders vote to dissolve Aerolinee Siciliane in latest airline shutdown
The latest airline to get shut down before it could get off the ground is regional Italian carrier Aerolinee Siciliane.
As first reported by Swiss outlet ch-aviation, the shareholders of the company envisioned to provide budget air connectivity to the Italian island voted to dissolve and liquidate the airline before operations could be launched.
Related: Authorities shut down 17 travel and air cargo companies in crackdown
Initial plans were to launch the new airline out of Catania–Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) in Sicily with flights to Milan and Bergamo as a virtual airline providing aircraft and services to other local carriers.
While two Boeing 737-400 planes were selected to run the routes, Palermo Today reports that the spike in fuel prices over the Iran war as well as regulatory hurdles made the project too expensive to continue.
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Aerolinee Siciliane CEO blames administrative bodies, seeks to launch lawsuit over airline’s failed start
Aerolinee Siciliane CEO Luigi Crispino said that he is looking to launch a lawsuit against administrative bodies that he feels hindered the airline’s launch and put out several provocative statements saying shareholders “are curious and eager to know who had an interest in halting Aerolinee Siciliane flights” alongside various accusations.
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Much of the frequent starts and stops since plans for the airline were first announced in 2020 remain mired in mystery as its founders have not elaborated on the challenges.
Airlines that filed for bankruptcy protection in 2026:
- Spirit Airlines: The largest airline shutdown of the year occurred when Spirit Airlines canceled all remaining flights on May 2. Although the airline had filed for Chapter 11 protection twice before, the skyrocketing price of jet fuel dealt the final blow to its operations.
- Magnicharters: In a shutdown that was initially supposed to be temporary, the Mexican low-cost airline ended up filing for bankruptcy at the end of May.
- Starflite Aviation: Houston-based Starflite Aviation had its AOC license revoked in March 2026, amid FAA claims that owners falsified pilot training records to bypass safety audits.
- AlpAvia: Slovenian charter airline AlpAvia also shut down in March 2026 over financial problems.
- H-Bird: Charter airline H-Bird was declared bankrupt by a Swedish judge after losing its operating license at the end of 2025.
Related: Another airline shut down in bankruptcy, to liquidate
