Many airlines start small. Shaun Dewey started Airworld with 2 summer only aircraft. Everyone said it would not last.
Airworld was bought by Thomas Cook UK who then bought Flying Colours & Caledonian becoming JMC & soon to be Thomas Cook Airlines.
Airline starts small & expand or merge. Reading some of the comments here one would beleive that they all start with a fleet of 30+ aircraft & high wages.