Heston Airlines (HST, Vilnius) has taken delivery of its first aircraft, A320-200 LY-FJI (msn 2157), as it inches towards its planned April launch.

The 17.2-year-old Airbus narrowbody, previously operated by Estonia's Airest (AEG, Tallinn Lennart Meri), was ferried to Vilnius on November 17, 2020, and has since been under maintenance at the Lithuanian airport. Heston Airlines said it was registered in Lithuania on March 17, 2021.

The aircraft is owned by CRA Aircraft Ireland and managed by Seraph Aviation Management, the ch-aviation fleets ownership module shows.

The carrier plans to add two more A320s shortly. Chief Executive Jonas Rinkauskas confirmed to ch-aviation they will be LY-VUT (msn 3275), a 13.5-year-old ex-Tigerair Australia jet which is owned by Genesis Aircraft Services and managed by Seraph Aviation Management, and LY-NZL, whose identity remains undisclosed due to ongoing talks with lessors. Previously, the carrier indicated it would add msn 2112 but that is no longer planned. LY-VUT is expected to deliver on April 15, 2021.

The start-up's parent, Heston Aviation, is working together with lessor Genesis Aircraft Services to establish the airline as an all-A320 Family charter and ACMI specialist.

Heston Airlines has yet to obtain its AOC.