April Fool! Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms no plan to introduce airline following ‘leaked’ footage earlier today

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has said it has no plans to introduce an airline, after ‘leaked’ footage appearing to show a Fred. Olsen aircraft was confirmed to be an April Fool.

This morning, footage showing an aircraft with Fred. Olsen Airlines livery was ‘leaked’ across social media, and was soon followed by a statement from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ headquarters about the impending launch of the new airline.

The content was instead a nod towards Fred. Olsen’s new fly-cruise programme, as the operator prepares to enter into its first season of fly-cruises since 2019.

Sonia Holman, Director of E-Commerce and Marketing at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“We are really excited to be offering fly-cruise again from this year. We are so well-established in the Ex-UK market, and thought April Fool’s Day was the perfect opportunity for us to have some fun and get conversations flowing around our new fly-cruise programme.

“We’d like to thank everyone for getting behind the news, and if it had you dreaming of sailing around the Mediterranean, perhaps one of our fly-cruises for 2025 or 2026 could be for you!”

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is offering two fly-cruise programmes across 2025 and 2026, including the following highlights:

Balmoral’s 10-night L2526 ‘Bays, Mountains and Islands of the Dalmatian Coast’ fly-cruise, departing from Civitavecchia, Italy, on 7^th October 2025. Prices start from £1,599 per person, including flights and transfers.

• Experience the beauty of the Dalmatian Coast from Balmoral
• Visit Lake Bled, Lokrum Island and Krka Waterfalls
• Immerse yourself in authentic Croatian culture

Itinerary: Civitavecchia (for Rome), Italy (overnight port) – Cruising by Stromboli, Italy – Cruising the Strait of Messina, Italy – Cruising Bay of Kotor, Montenegro – Kotor Montenegro – Koper, Slovenia – Cruising St Anthony Channel, Croatia – Sibenik, Croatia – Split, Croatia – Cruising by Mount Biokovo, Makarska Riviera, Croatia – Dubrovnik, Croatia (overnight port)
For more details: Visit L2526 ‘Bays, Mountains and Islands of the Dalmatian Coast'

Balmoral’s 12-night L2528 ‘Discovering Turkish Treasures’ fly-cruise, departing from Rhodes, Greece, on 25^thOctober 2025. Prices start from £1,499 per person, including flights and transfers.

• Explore a multitude of renowned European landmarks
• Embrace local Turkish traditions, and enjoy the fragrant local tea
• Delve into the winding streets of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul

Itinerary: Rhodes, Greece (overnight stay) – Bodrum, Turkey – Kusadasi, Turkey – Istanbul, Turkey – Valletta, Malta – Malaga, Spain (overnight stay)
For more details: Visit L2528 ‘Discovering Turkish Treasures’

Balmoral’s seven-night L2529 ‘Mountain Landscapes of Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar’ fly-cruise, departing from Malaga, Spain, on 6^th November 2025. Prices start from £899 per person, including flights and transfers.

• Explore the mountainous landscapes of Iberia
• Experience flamenco dance and soulful fado music
• Embrace cuisines such as gazpacho, sardines and pasteis de nata

Itinerary: Malaga, Spain (overnight port) – Gibraltar, Gibraltar – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Cruising by the Monument of the Discoveries, Portugal – Cruising by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal (overnight stay) – Southampton, UK
For more details: Visit L2529 ‘Mountain Landscapes of Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar’

Balmoral’s 11-night L2638 ‘Discovering Greece, Italy and Morocco’ cruise, departing from Piraeus (for Athens) on 19^th November 2026. Prices start from £1,499 per person, including flights and transfers. Book by 15^th April to benefit from Fred. Olsen’s Freedom Fare Price Promise on this cruise.

• Explore Kalamata and Trapani, only accessible by smaller ships
• Immerse yourself in the cultures of Morocco and the Mediterranean
• Discover historic sites like the Acropolis, home to the Parthenon

Itinerary:Piraeus, Greece – Kalamata, Greece – Trapani, Italy – Tangier, Morocco – Agadir, Morocco – Santa Cruz, Tenerife

For more details: Visit Balmoral’s L2638 ‘Discovering Greece, Italy and Morocco’ cruise

Balmoral’s 10-night L2639 ‘Canaries Escape with the Fleet Fiesta’ fly-cruise (return flights from London or Manchester), departing from Santa Cruz, Tenerife, on 30^thNovember 2026. Prices start from £1,199 per person, including flights and transfers. Book by 15^th April to benefit from Fred. Olsen’s Freedom Fare Price Promise on this cruise.

• Experience a day of festivities in Las Palmas with Bolette and Borealis
• Savour wine and wrinkled potatoes in Lanzarote and Lisbon's famous custard tarts
• Bask in the winter sun in Gran Canaria and Tenerife

Itinerary: Santa Cruz, Tenerife – Las Palmas, Gran Canaria – Arrecife, Lanzarote – Funchal, Madeira (overnight stay) – Lisbon, Portugal – Matosinhos (for Porto), Portugal –Southampton, England
For more information: Visit Balmoral’s L2639 ‘Canaries Escape with the Fleet Fiesta’ fly-cruise

For further information on Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ fly-cruise programme, visit fredolsencruises.com/fly-cruises, call Reservations on 0800 0355 242 (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 9am to 5pm), or contact your ABTA travel agent.