- EASA grounds Tunisair Express ATR fleet due to safety concerns.
- Tunisair Express leases ATR72-500 from Swiftair to maintain flight operations.
- Wet lease supports critical Tunis–Djerba route amid fleet grounding.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has grounded Tunisair Express’s ATR fleet over safety issues, forcing the airline to lease an aircraft temporarily to keep its services running.
According to Eko Hot Blog, Tunisair Express secured a wet lease agreement with Spain’s Swiftair. The leased ATR72-500, registered as EC-KVI, was ferried from Palma de Mallorca to Tunis on August 4, 2025, and started operating the Tunis–Djerba route the following day. This arrangement is a stopgap solution to help the airline maintain domestic and regional connectivity while its ATR fleet remains grounded.
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Tunisair Express is a subsidiary of Tunisia’s national carrier, Tunisair. The airline operates mainly from Tunis-Carthage Airport and serves a network that includes domestic destinations and regional routes to countries like Malta and Italy. Its fleet consists of two ATR 72 aircraft, which play a key role in connecting Tunisia with nearby regions. The recent grounding by EASA has disrupted operations, creating an urgent need for a replacement aircraft.
The wet lease with Swiftair provides a vital lifeline for Tunisair Express, allowing it to fulfill passenger demand and maintain schedule integrity despite the challenges. The leased ATR72-500 had previously operated under Swiftair for flights within Spain and to the mainland, making it a suitable temporary addition to Tunisair Express’s operations.
This incident highlights the challenges airlines face when safety issues arise and underscores Tunisair Express’s commitment to maintaining reliable service. The airline is actively working with EASA to address the safety concerns and hopes to return its ATR fleet to full operation soon.
For now, the lease arrangement ensures that Tunisair Express can continue offering essential air connectivity while safeguarding passenger safety.
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