Avion Express
Avion Express is a Lithuanian airline specializing in ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) services, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Vilnius.[1][2] As a leading narrow-body operator, the company provides wet-leasing and charter flights globally, holding air operator certificates (AOCs) in Lithuania, Malta, and Brazil, with additional AOCs under development in the Philippines and Mexico.[3][4] It operates as a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, benefiting from the parent company's extensive network of over 250 subsidiaries and more than 14,500 professionals as of August 2025.[3][5] Avion Express manages a fleet of 55 Airbus A320-family aircraft, including A319, A320, and A321 models, tailored for passenger operations across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas as of November 2025.[6] The airline has achieved several industry firsts, such as becoming the first ACMI provider with over 50 narrow-body aircraft for passenger services, entering the Mexican market, and establishing operations in Brazil.[3] It emphasizes sustainability, including CO2 emission reductions, and has pioneered innovations like integrating an Electronic Technical Log system as the first Lithuanian airline to do so.[3]Company Overview
Headquarters and Legal Status
Avion Express is headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania, at Dariaus ir Girėno g. 38A, LT-02188, with the company established there in 2005.[7][8] The airline operates as a private limited liability company under the legal name UAB Avion Express, registered with company code 300087830 in Lithuania.[8][9] Avion Express has been a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group since its acquisition in 2019, which has supported the airline's broader expansion into global ACMI operations.[10][11] It holds air operator certificates (AOCs) in Lithuania as its primary jurisdiction, as well as in Malta and Brazil, with a fourth AOC under development in the Philippines, enabling regulated operations across these regions.[12][13][14][3] The company employs over 1,700 professionals, including more than 450 office staff and 1,200 crew members, with operations supported by more than 17 global bases beyond its Vilnius headquarters, including maintenance facilities integrated through the parent group.[3][15][16]Business Model and Services
Avion Express operates primarily as a provider of ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) services, a wet-leasing model that allows client airlines to lease complete operational packages without owning or managing the assets themselves. This approach enables carriers to optimize fleet capacity, reduce fixed costs, and address seasonal or short-term demand fluctuations by outsourcing aircraft, fully trained crew, maintenance support, and insurance coverage. The company's customizable solutions, including damp-leasing options where clients provide some elements like fuel, emphasize flexibility and cost efficiency for major airlines facing overflow needs.[17] In addition to ACMI, Avion Express offers charter flight services tailored for leisure travel, tour operators, and ad-hoc passenger groups, operating across Europe, Latin America, and other regions with a focus on reliability and safety. These charters complement the ACMI model by providing on-demand capacity for events, pilgrimages, or specialized routes, enhancing the company's role as a versatile aviation partner. Key clients include Norwegian Air, TUI, LOT Polish Airlines, and VietJet Air, with partnerships such as extended agreements with SunExpress for summer seasons and a recent ACMI collaboration with Argentina's Flybondi to support regional growth.[2][18][19] Revenue streams derive mainly from ACMI leasing contracts, maintenance services, and crew provision, with charter operations adding diversified income from direct bookings. This model positions Avion Express as an "airline for airlines," prioritizing scalability to meet global carriers' variable demands, such as peak travel periods. Recent expansions include strengthened presence in Latin America through memberships like the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) and initiatives in Mexico and Brazil, enabling ACMI services to gain traction in emerging markets.[20][16][21]History
Founding and Early Operations (2005–2008)
Avion Express was founded on February 11, 2005, as Nordic Solutions Air Services, a Lithuanian airline aimed at providing regional cargo and passenger services within Europe.[8] The venture was initiated amid Lithuania's recent integration into the European Union in 2004, positioning it to capitalize on the opening of post-Soviet markets for short-haul aviation.[22] Operations commenced from Vilnius International Airport, which served as the primary base and facilitated access to Baltic and broader European routes.[1] The initial fleet comprised four Saab 340 turboprop aircraft, configured for both cargo and passenger charters on short-haul routes.[23] These versatile planes were chosen for their suitability in regional operations, enabling flexible charter services across Europe. Early activities focused on building a foothold in a competitive landscape marked by the post-Soviet aviation sector's transition, including challenges such as adapting to stringent EU regulatory standards, limited infrastructure development, and the need to modernize from legacy Soviet-era practices.[24] To launch services, Nordic Solutions Air Services secured an Air Operator's Certificate from the Lithuanian Civil Aviation Administration, alongside necessary EASA approvals for safe integration into the European common aviation area.[22] In 2008, the company underwent a significant rebranding to UAB Avion Express, reflecting a strategic pivot toward expanded European market presence and diversified operations.[1] This change coincided with its alignment under the Avia Solutions Group, an emerging aviation conglomerate that supported further development.[10] By the end of this period, the airline had established a foundational workforce, growing its operations steadily from Vilnius while laying the groundwork for future expansion.[25]Expansion into Jet Aircraft and ACMI (2009–2014)
During this period, Avion Express transitioned from its initial turboprop operations to modern jet aircraft, acquiring its first Airbus A320 in April 2011, which became the inaugural Airbus aircraft registered in Lithuania.[26] This acquisition marked a strategic shift toward narrow-body jets suitable for ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) wet-lease services, enabling the airline to offer more efficient capacity to partner carriers across Europe. By December 2011, two additional A320s joined the fleet, supporting expanded charter and leasing operations. The adoption of the ACMI business model during this era allowed Avion Express to provide comprehensive wet-lease solutions, including aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance, primarily to European airlines facing seasonal demand fluctuations. A notable example was the 2014 agreement to wet-lease three Airbus A320s to Spain's Vueling Airlines, demonstrating the airline's growing role in supporting low-cost carriers with flexible capacity.[27] To facilitate these services, Avion Express developed in-house maintenance capabilities compliant with EASA standards and implemented crew training programs focused on A320 operations, ensuring operational reliability for clients.[28] As part of this expansion, the airline phased out its remaining Saab 340 turboprops by March 2013, fully committing to an all-jet fleet.[29] By mid-2014, the fleet had grown to 11 aircraft, comprising nine Airbus A320s and two A319s, positioning Avion Express as a key ACMI provider in the Baltic and broader European markets through initial partnerships with regional carriers.[28]Global Growth and Subsidiaries (2015–Present)
In 2015, Avion Express became more closely integrated within the Avia Solutions Group structure, which facilitated accelerated fleet diversification and route expansion as part of the group's broader aviation ecosystem. This alignment enabled the company to leverage shared resources for ACMI operations, supporting growth in international wet-lease contracts across Europe and beyond. By 2018, Avion Express entered the Asian wet-lease market through an ACMI agreement with a Cambodian airline, deploying one Airbus A321 and one A320 aircraft to meet regional demand for narrow-body capacity.[30] Similarly, starting in 2018, the company began targeting Latin American opportunities, culminating in strategic announcements for regional expansion. The COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022 posed significant challenges, leading to a fleet reduction to around 14 aircraft and the initiation of corporate restructuring to manage creditor obligations amid halted passenger operations. Avion Express responded by storing portions of its fleet and pivoting to cargo-only flights on A320 aircraft, offering up to 17 tons of capacity per flight to capitalize on e-commerce surges. Post-recovery, the company achieved rapid reactivation, expanding its A320-family fleet to over 50 aircraft by August 2023, driven by renewed global ACMI demand and contracts in emerging markets.[31][32][33] Key milestones marked this period of global scaling, including the announcement in May 2023 of plans to obtain a Brazilian Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) as part of a Latin American strategy to enhance ACMI and charter services for local operators. The AOC process advanced through phases, with official establishment starting in December 2023 and full certification achieved in February 2025, enabling operations with 5-10 aircraft initially. In 2025, Avion Express celebrated its 20th anniversary, highlighting two decades of ACMI expertise, while addressing operational surges through hiring initiatives, such as opening 250 pilot positions worldwide in October 2025 to support expanded global routes.[34][35][12][36]Fleet
Current Fleet Composition
As of November 2025, Avion Express maintains a combined fleet of 55 Airbus A320-family aircraft across its operations in Lithuania, Malta, and Brazil.[6] As of May 2025, this inventory included 1 Airbus A319-100, 54 Airbus A320-200s, and 2 Airbus A321-200s, all configured for ACMI leasing and charter services; the A319-100 has since been retired.[37] The A320-200 variants are powered by either IAE V2500-series (such as the V2527-A5) or CFM International CFM56 engines, providing fuel-efficient performance for short- to medium-haul routes. Configurations are predominantly all-economy layouts with 180 seats on A320 and A319 models, while A321s accommodate up to 220 seats; select aircraft incorporate premium seating options for customized client needs.[38][25] The fleet's average age stands at approximately 17 years, focusing on well-maintained, efficient narrowbody aircraft suitable for global wet-lease operations. Aircraft registrations primarily feature Lithuanian (LY-) prefixes for the parent company, Maltese (9H-) for Avion Express Malta, and Brazilian (PR-) for Avion Express Brasil, enabling flexible basing worldwide.[25][39][40]| Type | In Service (as of May 2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Airbus A319-100 | 1 | All-economy; CFM56 or V2500 engines; retired by mid-2025 |
| Airbus A320-200 | 54 | 180 seats; V2500 or CFM56 engines; LY-/9H-/PR- registrations |
| Airbus A321-200 | 2 | Up to 220 seats; some premium options; LY-/9H-/PR- registrations |