Iceland's low-cost carrier, PLAY Airlines, is anticipating a robust summer season ahead in 2025, following the release of their latest traffic data for March. Aiming for a strong northern summer season, the airline is optimistic about the future, especially with the recent establishment of a Maltese subsidiary operating under its own AOC. By focusing more on European flights and engaging in aircraft wet-leasing, PLAY is strategically positioning itself for success in the upcoming months.

During March 2025, PLAY transported 111,531 passengers, showing a decline from the previous year's 142,918 passengers. This drop can be attributed to a 16.5% reduction in the airline's overall capacity after deciding to lease one of its aircraft to GlobalX Airlines in Miami. Despite the decrease in passenger numbers, PLAY remains confident in its direction by enhancing its European point-to-point network and aligning services to meet seasonal demand.

The carrier reported an 82.0% load factor in March 2025, lower than the 88.1% recorded in the same period last year. This decline is attributed to the airline's emphasis on seasonal leisure routes across Europe, particularly in Southern Europe. The shift has also impacted the load factor due to the timing of Easter, which fell in March 2024 but in April 2025.

Looking at the breakdown of March 2025 traffic, PLAY saw 30.7% of passengers flying from Iceland, 37.5% traveling to Iceland, and 31.8% being connecting passengers. Despite a dip in on-time performance compared to the previous year, PLAY is optimistic about the upcoming summer season in 2025, expecting improved seat factor across all market segments.

CEO of PLAY, Einar Örn Ólafsson, expressed his excitement following the approval of the Air Operators Certificate for their new subsidiary, PLAY Europe, in Malta. This certification marks a significant milestone for the company, allowing them to expand their operations through charter or ACMI business for other operators.

Looking ahead, PLAY is gearing up for the summer of 2025 with plans to launch new routes to Antalya in Turkey and Faro, Portugal. With an all-Airbus fleet operating to 39 destinations across 21 countries, including North America, PLAY is set to deliver an exceptional travel experience to passengers traveling within Europe and beyond. The airline's strategic moves and focus on enhancing services indicate a promising trajectory for PLAY Airlines in the upcoming summer season in 2025.