Virtual airline Mannheim City Air takes flight
May 1, 2025
A new virtual airline, Mannheim City Air, commenced operations on 18 April with the aim of providing efficient air travel between key regional centres in Europe.
The airline’s initial operations will offer direct connections from the Mannheim region in Germany to the island destinations of Sylt, Usedom and Elba with flight times specifically tailored to weekend and short-term leisure travellers. The airline prides itself on offering “first-class customer service – both on the ground and in the air.” flights will be operated by the German carrier Private Wings using Dornier Do328 aircraft.
The three destinations chosen by the virtual airline for its inaugural routes were previously underserved or unserved by other carriers. Mannheim City Air succeeds the insolvent Rhein-Neckar Air, which entered insolvency proceedings on 1 January, 2025.
To support its operations, Mannheim City Air partnered with Ink Innovation to implement its Departure Control System (DCS) at the airline’s homebase, Mannheim City Airport, as well as Sylt Airport in northern Germany and Marina di Campo Airport on the Italian island of Elba.
Commenting on Ink’s enthusiasm for partnering with new airlines, Janet Richards, CCO of Ink said: “There’s a unique energy in startup carriers – the ambition, the appetite for risk and the drive to do things differently. We’re proud to support Mannheim City Air as they bring fresh momentum to regional travel in Europe.”
While Mannheim City Air’s website is still under construction, passengers are able to book flights.
