Archives: Market Intelligences
World’s Largest ACMI Provider Avia Solutions Group Concludes Acquisition of Skytrans Airlines, Expanding to 12 AOCs Worldwide
Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider with a fleet of 199 aircraft, has finalized the acquisition of the Australian airline Skytrans. The airline, which holds a fleet of 13 regional aircraft, specializes in Regular Public Transport (RPT) as well as charter operations.
With the acquisition of Skytrans, the group secures an Australian Air Operator Certificate (AOC), paving the way for both passenger and cargo flight operations. The move will, moreover, allow the group to access the lucrative domestic aviation market in Australia, which, according to projections published in the Australian Aviation Network review of 2023, is set to exceed pre-COVID levels in 2024.
This development is part of the group’s growth strategy within the Asia-Pacific region. Expansion in the region provides valuable leverage to counterbalance the reduced seasonal demand in Europe by shifting aircraft between counter-seasonal regions. The obtained AOC brings the total number of air operator certificates held by the group to 12.
“This acquisition is part of our larger strategy, which is aimed at limiting the impact of seasonality, whilst giving us access to new growing markets in Asia-Pacific and further afield. By the end of the year, we aim to establish or acquire 7 additional airlines, with countries like Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia firmly on our radar,” says Jonas Janukenas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group.
According to the newly appointed Managing Director of Skytrans, Gytis Gumuliauskas, while the company’s current activities will be continued, the main goal is to extensively develop ACMI and wet lease operations:
“Passenger operations will be our main area of focus, with cargo being an area we’re willing to explore and develop in 2024 and beyond. To achieve these goals, we have plans of expanding the fleet with A319 aircraft for passenger and with A321F for cargo transportation.”
Irish-based 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, France, Lithuania, and Vietnam.
Source: Avia Solutions Group
Photo Credit: Avia Solutions Group
Related Posts
Indian Flag Carrier Air India Announces Latest Appointment for Chief Manager – Training Forecasting and Transformation
Air India has appointed Kirti Veluri as its new Chief Manager – Training Forecasting & Transformation. Ms Veluri was previously Training, Standards and Compliance Expert (Pilots) with AirAsia India and previously held positions with GoAir, Etihad Airways and Jet Airways.
Source: Kirti Veluri
Photo Credit: Air India (shown as meta image)
Related Posts
UAE-based Etihad Aviation Training Receives ‘Training Provider of the Year’ Award at Aviation Achievement Awards
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates-based aviation, pilot and full flight simulator training center Etihad Aviation Training has been awarded with the esteemed ‘Training Provider of the Year’ award at the prestigious Aviation Achievement Awards (AAA). This recognition highlights the unwavering dedication and excellence demonstrated by Etihad Aviation Training in the field of aviation education.
Before the award ceremony, its Head of Training, Stefan Dudda, took center stage as a panelist at the Gulf Aviation Networking Event. The insightful discussion focused on ‘The Future of Aviation Technology,’ providing a platform for industry experts to share perspectives and insights.
Source: Etihad Aviation Training
Photo Credit: Etihad Aviation Training
Related Posts
Middle East Low-Cost Carrier Announces Latest Appointment for Chief Executive Officer Effective March 2024
Related Posts
Middle East Aviation and Pilot Training Organization, T3 Aviation Academy, Participates in Arab Aviation Summit
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates based aviation and pilot training group T3 Aviation Academy is pleased to share that it participated in this year’s Arab Aviation Summit 2024, held at Al Hamra International Exhibition and Conference Centre in Ras Al Khaimah.
T3 proudly presented its 13 published ATPL books, developed in-house, and its leadership participated in the Summit’s panel on Navigating the Future: Accelerating Human Capital Development and Job Creation.
The Academy was also honoured by its cadet’s participation in the Summit’s Youth Forum on Future Leaders of Aviation and Tourism, that was represented by the youngest cadet to grace the Academy’s hall at the early age of 16. The cadet spoke on her experience as a trainee aspiring to become a future pilot and empowering the youth and females in the aviation industry.
The team has seen has amassed a high interest in its programmes from distinguished dignitaries, attendees, exhibitors, and media representatives during the Summit and looks forward to a much bigger success in the upcoming one.
Source: T3 Aviation Academy
Photo Credit: T3 Aviation Academy
Related Posts
Electric Training Aircraft Pipistrel Velis Electro Earns LSA Airworthiness Exemption from US Regulator FAA
Popular training aircraft manufacturer – Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. company, announced the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a light-sport aircraft (LSA) airworthiness exemption for the Pipistrel Velis Electro, opening up flight training in an electric aircraft within the United States.
The FAA exemption allows US flight schools to use the electric aircraft within their flight training programs. The Velis Electro offers a lower-cost and more sustainable learning platform for student pilots to acquire flying skills and go from zero flight experience to eventually flying solo, while giving them early experience on next-generation power systems.
Kriya Shortt, president and CEO of Textron’s eAviation segment, says: “This is a great day for flight training organizations and aspiring pilots. With this exemption, the cost-barrier to pursuing primary flight training can be substantially reduced. We are thankful to the FAA for its support in bringing more opportunities for electric aviation to the United States.”
Gabriel Massey, president and managing director at Pipistrel, says: “The FAA exemption is an important milestone on the journey to sustainable flight. We are proud of our team and what we have achieved towards creating the future for electric and sustainable aviation, globally.
Taking off for the first time is exhilarating, and even more so in an electric aircraft. We are looking forward to seeing more pilots take to the skies and experience their first flight in the Velis Electro.”
The relief for a Petition for Exemption to 14 CFR Part 21.190 (Issue of a special airworthiness certificate for a light-sport category aircraft) reflects the FAA’s commitment to safely integrate new technologies into the National Airspace System.
The Pipistrel Velis Electro is the first commercially available, type-certified electric aircraft in the world. The aircraft is quiet, producing noise levels of only 60 decibels, low cost and user-friendly, making it an ideal solution for flight training with zero carbon emissions.
About Pipistrel
In 2020, Pipistrel’s Velis Electro became the world’s first, and currently only, electric aircraft to receive full type-certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This achievement followed a series of electric aircraft introductions since the company began research and development of electric propulsion in 2000. Pipistrel’s pioneering work has been recognized through awards from NASA, IDC, and other organizations. The company, which offers a family of gliders and light aircraft with both electric and combustion engines, has delivered more than 2,500 light aircraft worldwide since its founding in 1989 and additionally has both hybrid and electric propulsion models under development.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems.
Source: Pipistrel
Photo Credit: Pipistrel
Related Posts
ProSim Training Solutions Announces Latest Appointment for Business Development Manager
Aviation training and simulator software developer ProSim Training Solutions B.V. has appointed Anita van Leeuwen as its new Business Development Manager. To learn more about ProSim Training Solutions or Ms. Leeuwen, connect with her through her LinkedIn Profile.
Source: Anita van Leeuwen
Photo Credit: ProSim Training Solutions (shown as meta image)
Related Posts
Middle East Pilot Simulator Training Center Pier Seven Aviation Announces Successful Completion of Type Rating for Afghani Airline
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates-based pilot training group and full flight simulator training center Pier Seven Aviation announced the successful completion of the B737CL type rating for two outstanding pilots from Ariana Afghan Airlines.
Pier Seven Aviation operates Airbus A320, Boeing B737NG, Boeing B737CL and B747 full flight simulators.
Source: Pier Seven Aviation
Photo Credit: Pier Seven Aviation
Related Posts
US National Flight Training Alliance Urges Review of Subcontracted Air Traffic Control Towers
The Washington, D.C., United States based National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA), an organization working to unify, promote and protect America’s flight training providers, is urging greater scrutiny of the use of subcontracted Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT) as part of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) reauthorization bill. NFTA President Chris Schoensee, who also owns Paragon Flight Training, based in Fort Myers, Florida, is working to increase awareness of the second-class status by which subcontracted ATCTs are allowed to operate.
According to Schoensee, the problem is not that certain towers are subcontracted; rather, that they aren’t operated with the same standards under current funding and staffing restrictions as FAA-operated ATCTs, which are unionized and have strict rules about wages, staffing, time-off and access to modern technology. He notes that some of the nation’s busiest airfields where flight academies are co-located with commercial and other aviation activity have ATCTs operated by subcontracting companies, including Page Field, where Paragon Flight Training is based. As a Southwest Florida congressman recently noted, the Page Field ATCT is sometimes staffed by only one person.
“It is unthinkable that such a busy airstrip, with flight academies, private aircraft and commercial carriers all vying for attention, would be so woefully understaffed, but this unacceptable situation goes beyond staffing,” Schoensee said. “The FAA needs to address modernizing ATCTs to handle the growing number of takeoffs and landings – whether the ATCT is operated by the FAA or a subcontractor.”
When it comes to the physical safety of towers, many ATCTs were built in the 1970s and have not been modernized. Further, they were intended for approximately 50,000 takeoffs and landings per year. At Page Field, the subcontracted tower is now overseeing more than 200,000 operations annually.
“The FAA reauthorization bill must include funding for improvements to ATCTs that consistently promote safety and access for air traffic controllers, pilots, students, and passengers alike,” Schoensee said. “Our nation has the technology and knowledge needed to do this – now we need to act.”
About National Flight Training Alliance
Working to unify, promote and protect America’s flight training providers, the National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) is comprised of American flight training providers and industry-wide aviation stakeholders committed to producing the finest professional pilots in the world. We represent the future of aviation, meeting the strong demand for pilots by embracing new technologies and methodologies and using our collective membership voice to form policy positions that directly and positively impact industry governance.
Source: National Flight Training Alliance
Photo Credit: National Flight Training Alliance