Italy’s New Regional Airline AirIdea Launches Flights Next Month With Saab 340s & Jetstream Turboprops

A new name is preparing to join Europe’s regional airline scene next month, as Italian start-up AirIdea gets ready to launch domestic flights across Italy using classic turboprop aircraft including the BAe Jetstream 32 and Saab 340.

For aviation enthusiasts, it is another rare opportunity to see and fly on regional turboprops that have become increasingly uncommon across Europe’s airline networks.

Based at Genoa Cristoforo Colombo Airport, AirIdea plans to begin operations on 8 June 2026, initially connecting Genoa with a range of Italian cities including Trieste, Venice, Florence, Bologna, Bergamo, Olbia and Alghero. Additional routes to Rimini and Perugia are also planned during the summer season.

A New Approach To Italian Regional Flying

AirIdea says its aim is to reconnect Italian cities that currently lack fast or practical direct air links.

Rather than competing head-on with major airlines on trunk routes, the carrier is focusing on underserved regional markets where journeys by road or rail can be slow and inconvenient — particularly from Genoa, where both road and rail infrastructure remain challenging.

According to the airline, more than 70% of Italy’s regional city pairs currently lack adequate direct air connections. AirIdea hopes to fill some of those gaps with short point-to-point flights averaging around 45 minutes in duration.

The airline is targeting both business travellers and leisure passengers, with schedules designed to allow same-day return trips on some routes.

Saab 340s First – Jetstream 32s Later

For enthusiasts, perhaps the most interesting aspect of AirIdea is the aircraft fleet.

Initial services this summer will be operated by 34-seat Saab 340B turboprops leased and operated by Maltese carrier Luxwing while AirIdea establishes its own operation.

The Saab 340 remains a favourite among many regional aviation fans. Developed in Sweden during the 1980s, the type once served extensively across Europe with airlines including Crossair, British Midland, Loganair, Business Air, Air UK and many others.

However, AirIdea’s long-term plans are even more intriguing.

From later in 2026, the airline intends to introduce BAe Jetstream 32 aircraft — a stretched development of the Jetstream 31 regional turboprop built in the UK.

Configured with around 19 seats, these aircraft are becoming increasingly rare in scheduled passenger service worldwide. For plane spotters, the chance to see regular Jetstream operations in Europe again could become a major attraction.

Routes Planned By AirIdea

Among the routes currently planned are:

• Genoa – Trieste
• Genoa – Venice
• Genoa – Florence
• Genoa – Bologna
• Genoa – Bergamo
• Genoa – Olbia
• Genoa – Alghero
• Bergamo – Rimini
• Bergamo – Perugia

Some routes will operate only a few times weekly, while others — such as Genoa–Trieste — will see more frequent service.

AirIdea says it is also avoiding the dynamic pricing model used by many airlines, instead offering fixed one-way fares regardless of booking date.

A Growing Trend For Small Regional Airlines?

AirIdea joins a small but growing number of regional start-up airlines emerging across Europe which aim to restore thinner domestic routes abandoned by larger carriers.

In recent years, rising rail competition, airport costs and pilot shortages have caused many airlines to withdraw from smaller regional markets. Yet there remains demand for fast direct services between secondary cities — especially in countries with difficult geography like Italy.

Whether AirIdea succeeds long-term remains to be seen, but for now it offers something increasingly unusual in Europe: scheduled regional flying using classic turboprop aircraft on niche domestic routes.

For aviation enthusiasts and plane spotters, that alone makes it one to watch closely over the coming months.

Have you ever flown on a Saab 340 or Jetstream 32? And could AirIdea’s regional model work elsewhere in Europe?

Find More Rare Airliners to Fly

Last Chance to Fly is our guide to the airlines still flying rare and historic airliners, like the Jetstream and Saab 340. It covers more than 50 different aircraft types and tells you where you can fly them. The guide is updated monthly.

Available exclusively to Airport Spotting Premium Members.

Get Premium Membership Here