Avia Solutions Group acquires Australian airline Skytrans

Avia Solutions Group, the world's largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider with a fleet of 199 aircraft, has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire Australian airline, Skytrans. The acquisition process is planned to be completed in March 2024, subject to the fulfillment of specific transaction conditions.

Skytrans is an Australian-owned and operated airline and air charter business. The airline operates Regular Public Transport (RPT) and charter services, with a current fleet spanning 13 regional aircraft.

The acquisition of Skytrans will grant the group an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in Australia, allowing it to operate both passenger and cargo flights. This is a significant step in the strategic expansion of the group in the Asia-Pacific region. Avia Solutions Group currently holds 11 AOCs globally. By the end of 2024, the group aims to establish and acquire 7 additional airlines in various countries, including Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and Turkey.

"One of the main strategic objectives of the group is to expand into markets that have the opposite seasonality to Europe. Australia is a new addition to our group's global footprint, where we see significant potential and growth opportunities, enabling us to offer ACMI services", says Jonas Janukenas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group.

CEO of Skytrans, Alan Milne, highlights the new possibilities that the company will unlock after joining the Avia Solutions Group family. "Becoming a part of the group will give us the chance to benefit from the best business practices and experience, as well as expanding our operations, fleet, and geographic reach, while strengthening our position in the market".

Avia Solutions Group is the parent company to SmartLynx Airlines, Avion Express, AirExplore, KlasJet, Magma Aviation, and more, operating worldwide. The group also comprises a leading global provider of MRO services, FL Technics, with 100 line maintenance stations worldwide and maintenance hangars in Lithuania, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Avia Solutions Group also operates the largest independent pilot training organization, BAA Training, with schools in Spain, Lithuania, and Vietnam.