Belle Air’s logo reminds us that flying is about beauty, ease, and vivid impressions. The brand’s airliners, like butterflies, decorate Albania’s airspace and promise passengers thrilling journeys.
Belle Air: Brand overview
The story starts in 2005, when Arbi Xhelo, an entrepreneur with a clear vision, founded the airline. He saw an opening in the growing Albanian market to create an affordable company that provided excellent service and built a strong brand identity.
Soon after starting work, she worked at Tirana Nene Teresa Airport, where several aircraft and a dedicated team were located. The team focused on being on time, providing friendly service, and maintaining a strong brand.
The airline grew rapidly between 2006 and 2008, building a loyal customer base through reliable service, competitive prices, and creative marketing. It expanded its scope to include flights to Italy, Greece, and other destinations. As demand grew, so did its fleet.
Even during the economic downturn from 2009 to 2011, the airline thrived. It became Albania’s top company, offering the most flights and destinations, creating jobs, boosting tourism, and connecting Albania globally.
By 2012, it was the leading airline in Albania, holding over 50% of the market share. Arbi Xhelo led the company to what seemed like a continued success. By the end of 2013, financial troubles took a toll. Despite efforts to cut costs and restructure, the debts grew too large.
It ceased operations on November 24, 2013. This sudden stop left many passengers stranded, shocking the public and the industry.
Meaning and History
What is Belle Air?
It was an Albanian airline based in Tirana, notable for being the first private airline in the country’s history. The company operated flights to popular European destinations, including Italy, Greece, and Germany, significantly enhancing Albania’s connectivity with the rest of Europe. It used a fleet of ATR 72 and Airbus A320 aircraft and was known for its affordable prices, making air travel more accessible for Albanian citizens.
2005 – 2013
This airline no longer exists, but it remains memorable for the butterfly that adorned the tails of its airplanes. The emblem depicts the insect in negative space: the two right wings are formed by cutouts in an orange circle, symbolizing the sun, while the left pair of wings are outlined with irregular blue stripes. The name Belle Air is typed in bold lowercase, with the spacing between words no greater than the width between letters. The lettering is divided into two parts solely through orange and blue colors.
The logo’s negative space creates a visual interaction that attracts attention. The orange circle represents the sun, symbolizing optimism and vitality. The different colors in the lettering contribute to ease of perception while maintaining aesthetic unity, which adds complexity to the logo design.