Avia Solutions Group, an ACMI provider with 199 aircraft, has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire Australian airline, Skytrans. The acquisition is expected to be completed in March 2024, subject to specific transaction conditions.
Skytrans is an Australian-owned airline operating Regular Public Transport (RPT) and charter services with a fleet of 13 regional aircraft.
This acquisition will grant the group an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in Australia, enabling passenger and cargo flight operations. It marks a significant expansion move into the Asia-Pacific region for Avia Solutions Group, which currently holds 11 AOCs globally. The group plans to establish and acquire seven more airlines in various countries, including Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey, by the end of 2024.
Jonas Janukenas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group, emphasises the strategic importance of this move, saying, “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.”
Alan Milne, CEO of Skytrans, anticipates the benefits of joining Avia Solutions Group, including access to best practices, expanded operations, fleet, and geographic reach, while reinforcing its market position.
Avia Solutions Group operates globally and includes companies like SmartLynx Airlines, Avion Express, AirExplore, KlasJet, Magma Aviation and more. It also runs FL Technics, a leading MRO services provider, and BAA Training, one of the largest independent pilot training organisations with schools in Spain, Lithuania and Vietnam.