Avia Solutions Group

Avia Solutions Group is an aviation holding company whose principal business is ACMI—aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance—operations for airlines that need additional short- or medium-term capacity. Rather than operating as a single consumer-facing airline, the group owns or controls a portfolio of aviation businesses, including ACMI carriers, aircraft leasing companies, maintenance and repair organizations, ground handlers, aviation training providers, cargo specialists, charter brokers, business-aviation operators and aviation technology or media platforms. The group’s roots lie in the restructuring and privatization of Lithuania’s national airline, Air Lithuania, in the mid-2000s. Following the privatization of the airline, related aviation companies were established or developed around it. These included FL Technics for maintenance, Baltic Ground Services for ground handling, Baltic Aviation Academy for training, an aircraft-management and leasing operation, a travel agency and later the charter airline Small Planet Airlines. In 2010, the related businesses were consolidated under Avia Solutions Group, creating a broader aviation-services platform rather than a conventional scheduled-airline group. Avia Solutions Group expanded through acquisitions, new airline launches and the development of local operating certificates in different jurisdictions. Its airline portfolio has included Avion Express, SmartLynx-related operations, AirExplore, BBN Airlines, KlasJet, Magma Aviation and other regional or specialist operators. The group’s ACMI model allows airlines such as Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air, Ryanair, TUI and SAS to obtain aircraft and operating crews without permanently expanding their own fleets. The group also provides charter, cargo, humanitarian, evacuation, search-and-rescue and other specialized air-transport services. Beyond flying, the organization operates businesses in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul; aircraft leasing and trading; ground handling and fueling; aviation personnel recruitment; pilot and aviation-professional training; business aviation; cargo management; charter brokerage; aviation software; and aviation media and events. This diversification is intended to give the group revenue and capabilities across multiple parts of the aviation supply chain, while also supporting its ACMI airlines with maintenance, training, crew and operational infrastructure. The group was listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange from 2011 until 2018. It subsequently received significant external financing from Certares in 2021. Its legal and management center moved from Lithuania to Cyprus and then to Dublin in May 2023. Dublin serves as the group’s headquarters, while the company maintains offices, aviation operating certificates and facilities in numerous countries. In December 2024, the group opened a Global Services Center in Manila to support technical, flight-operations and maintenance functions. Avia Solutions Group has continued to pursue geographic expansion and fleet growth. In 2024, it announced an order for 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft for delivery from 2030, with an option for a further 40 aircraft. Its airlines have also sought new operating certificates in jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, Brazil and Australia. The group’s scale is primarily measured through its fleet, airline certificates, subsidiaries and aviation-services workforce rather than through a single passenger brand. Its strategic identity is therefore that of an integrated, multinational aviation-services platform serving airlines, cargo customers, governments and institutional clients.

Avia Solutions Group developed from a network of Lithuanian aviation businesses associated with the privatization of Air Lithuania, also known as LAL, in 2005. The airline was acquired by LAL’s investment-management arm and later rebranded as FlyLAL. Around the airline, a group of aviation-support companies was created or expanded, establishing the foundations of the later holding company. FL Technics was founded in 2005 and opened its first hangar at Vilnius International Airport. The business became the group’s principal maintenance, repair and overhaul platform. Baltic Ground Services was established to provide airport ground-handling services. In 2006, Baltic Aviation Academy was founded to train pilots, cabin crew and other aviation specialists; it was later known as BAA Training. FL Technics Jets, subsequently known as JetMS, was created in 2007 to serve business-aviation and aircraft-maintenance needs. Aviation Asset Management, later renamed AviaAM Leasing, was also established in 2007. Small Planet Airlines, a charter carrier, followed in 2008. In 2010, these related businesses were consolidated under Avia Solutions Group. The consolidation changed the organization from a collection of associated aviation companies into a diversified aviation holding group. The company subsequently pursued expansion in airline operations, aircraft leasing, maintenance, ground services, training, cargo and business aviation. It listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in 2011, providing a public-market platform for growth and corporate development. The listing ended in November 2018. The group’s strategy increasingly emphasized ACMI operations. Under this model, an airline supplies another carrier with aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance, allowing the customer to add capacity during seasonal peaks, fleet transitions, disruption periods or network expansion without immediately acquiring and operating its own aircraft. Avia Solutions Group built a portfolio of operators serving different markets and regulatory jurisdictions, including Avion Express, AirExplore, BBN Airlines, KlasJet, Magma Aviation and other specialist companies. It also expanded its non-airline infrastructure, including leasing, maintenance, training, charter brokerage, cargo management, ground handling and aviation technology. In 2021, the group received financing from Certares, a United States investment-management company. During the same period, the group’s headquarters moved from Lithuania to Cyprus. In May 2023, it moved its headquarters again, this time to Dublin, Ireland. The relocation placed the group in one of Europe’s most important aviation and aircraft-financing jurisdictions and made it Ireland’s second-largest aviation business by the characterization given in the cited reference, after Ryanair. The company continued international expansion in 2024. Ascend Airways received a UK air operator certificate and operated from London Gatwick and London Southend. The group also announced plans to expand in the United States in partnership with Impact Investments. Bluebird Nordic, an Icelandic cargo airline within the wider group, ceased operations during 2024 amid weaker demand for chartered cargo flights. In November 2024, Avia Solutions Group announced a commitment for 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, with an option for 40 additional aircraft, for delivery from 2030. The allocation of the aircraft among the group’s ACMI airlines was not specified in the cited material. In December 2024, the group opened a Global Services Center in Manila. The center was intended to support technical, flight-operations and MRO functions across the organization. In 2025, Avion Express Brasil obtained a Brazilian air operator certificate, described in the reference as making it Brazil’s first ACMI operator. Skytrans in Australia also received an air operator certificate and added an Airbus A319 for ACMI activity. Avia Solutions Group’s present identity is that of a vertically integrated aviation-services platform rather than a single airline brand. Its group companies collectively provide aircraft and crews, maintenance, leasing, training, cargo and charter services to airlines, governments, humanitarian organizations and other institutional customers. The group’s scale and geographic reach depend on its portfolio of subsidiaries and operating certificates, while its central commercial proposition remains the outsourcing of aircraft capacity and aviation capabilities.

1. 2025Avion Express Brasil received Brazilian AOC

   Avion Express Brasil obtained an air operator certificate from Brazil’s aviation authority.

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2. 2024Boeing 737 MAX fleet commitment

   The group announced an order for 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft and an option for 40 more.

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3. 2024Manila Global Services Center opened

   Avia Solutions Group opened a services center in Manila to support group technical and operational functions.

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4. 2023Headquarters moved to Dublin

   The group relocated its headquarters from Cyprus to Dublin in May.

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5. 2021Certares financing

   The group received financing from Certares to support its corporate and international expansion.

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6. 2018Warsaw listing ended

   Avia Solutions Group ceased to be listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in November.

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7. 2011Warsaw Stock Exchange listing

   The group became listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange.

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8. 2010Avia Solutions Group formed

   The related LAL businesses were consolidated into Avia Solutions Group.

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9. 2006Baltic Aviation Academy founded

   The aviation-training business that later became BAA Training was established.

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10. 2005Development of the group’s aviation-services foundations

    Following the privatization and rebranding of Lithuania’s Air Lithuania as FlyLAL, related companies including FL Technics and Baltic Ground Services were established or developed.

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A vertically integrated, multinational aviation-services group focused on outsourced airline capacity and specialist aviation infrastructure. Its central proposition is to combine ACMI airline operations with aircraft leasing, maintenance, training, ground handling, cargo, charter, business aviation and technology capabilities.

• ACMI airline servicesAirline capacity outsourcing

  The group’s core offering supplies aircraft, flight crews, maintenance and insurance to airlines. ACMI contracts allow customer airlines to add capacity without immediately purchasing aircraft or building equivalent operating infrastructure. Group operators serve scheduled, seasonal, charter and specialist markets.

• AviaAM LeasingAircraft leasing2007

  AviaAM Leasing provides aircraft asset-management, leasing and trading capabilities. It supports the group’s fleet strategy and gives the wider organization access to aircraft acquisition, placement and portfolio-management expertise.

• FL TechnicsAircraft MRO2005

  FL Technics is the group’s principal maintenance, repair and overhaul platform. Its activities include aircraft technical support, maintenance services, engineering and related support for commercial and other aviation operators.

• BAA TrainingAviation training2006

  BAA Training provides professional education and simulator-based training for aviation personnel. It originated as Baltic Aviation Academy and supports the development of pilots and other aviation specialists.

• Chapman FreebornCharter brokerage

  Chapman Freeborn arranges charter and specialist air-transport solutions for passengers, cargo, governments, humanitarian organizations and other customers. It complements the group’s owned and controlled operating airlines by brokering capacity across a broad aircraft network.

• KlasJetBusiness aviation

  KlasJet provides private and corporate aviation services, including charter operations and aircraft-management capabilities. It serves business, group-travel and other premium aviation requirements.

• Magma AviationCargo aviation

  Magma Aviation specializes in cargo-aircraft capacity and air-freight solutions. It forms part of the group’s cargo portfolio alongside other cargo and logistics businesses.

• 2024Boeing 737 MAX 8 orderProduct launch

  The group sought additional aircraft capacity for its growing portfolio of ACMI airlines and announced a future narrow-body fleet commitment.

  What changed. Avia Solutions Group ordered 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft for delivery from 2030 and obtained an option for a further 40.

  Aftermath. The aircraft were intended for distribution among the group’s ACMI airlines, although the cited reference did not identify the final allocation.

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• 2024Opening of the Manila Global Services CenterStrategy

  The group needed centralized support for the technical, flight-operations and MRO activities of its geographically dispersed aviation businesses.

  What changed. It opened its first Global Services Center in Manila in December.

  Aftermath. The center became a support hub for group technical and operational organizations.

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• 2010Consolidation into an aviation holding groupStrategy

  The businesses developed around FlyLAL covered airlines, maintenance, ground handling, training, leasing and travel services but were operating as related entities.

  What changed. They were consolidated under the Avia Solutions Group name, creating an integrated aviation-services platform.

  Aftermath. The consolidated structure enabled subsequent expansion across ACMI, MRO, leasing, cargo, training, charter and business aviation.

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• 2025Avion Express Brasil received an air operator certificate

  Brazil’s aviation authority awarded an air operator certificate to Avion Express Brasil, enabling the subsidiary to operate as an ACMI carrier in Brazil.

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• 2025Skytrans received an air operator certificate for ACMI operations

  Australian subsidiary Skytrans received an air operator certificate and added an Airbus A319 as it prepared to begin ACMI operations.

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• 2024Ascend Airways received a UK air operator certificate

  Ascend Airways, an Avia Solutions Group subsidiary, obtained an air operator certificate and began developing operations from London Gatwick and London Southend.

  OtherProduct launch
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• 2024Avia Solutions Group announced a Boeing 737 MAX order

  The group announced an order for 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft for delivery to its ACMI airlines from 2030, together with an option for another 40 aircraft.

  Product launch
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• 2024Avia Solutions Group opened a Global Services Center in Manila

  The group inaugurated its first Global Services Center in Manila to support technical, flight-operations and maintenance organizations.

  Other
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• 2023Avia Solutions Group moved its headquarters to Dublin

  After previously moving its headquarters from Lithuania to Cyprus, the group relocated its headquarters to Dublin in May 2023.

  Other
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• 2021Avia Solutions Group received financing from Certares

  The group secured financing from Certares, a United States-based investment-management firm, supporting its expansion as an international aviation-services platform.

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1. Avia Solutions Group