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The first Skytrans A319 has been slightly delayed, with the airline now aiming to have the aircraft in Australia sometime in November.
The plane was originally expected to arrive in the country this month to help launch Skytrans’ wet-leasing business after its acquisition earlier this year by global aviation firm Avia Solutions Group (ASG).
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Speaking to Australian Aviation, Skytrans CEO Alan Milne confirmed that the first A319 will arrive in Australia before the end of the year, and said he expects interest from the local industry in ASG’s ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance) services.
“That’s in the paint shed now, so hopefully all things being equal we’ll definitely have the airplane in the country before Christmas, but we’re hoping to have the AOC variation done before then as well,” he said.
“[ASG is] starting with the 144-seat A319; however, it’s easy to switch into other A320 family aircraft pretty quickly, including the A320, A321 and A321 freighter. It’s an area that’s out there, and an industry that has growth potential, and I think that’s what ASG is tapping into.”
In April, Gytis Gumuliauskas, the new managing director of Skytrans who will be in charge of the ACMI expansion, told Australian Aviation that major carriers in Australia are on the list of potential wet-leasing customers alongside airlines in neighbouring countries such as New Zealand.
“We’re here to supply the capacity for airlines to work around, for example, delayed aircraft deliveries, maintenance works, shortages, crew, peak seasons, and so on – or development of existing operations, selling a few more tickets,” Gumuliauskas said.
“All the regular carriers, operating in Australia and surrounding markets, neighboring countries, are our potential customers.”
Skytrans has said it will continue regional turboprop operations for the foreseeable future, with Milne telling Australian Aviation in January that it will be “business as usual” for the airline’s current network and schedule.
“ASG is the world’s largest ACMI company, and will provide Skytrans the opportunity for expansion of our operations, fleet and geographic reach while strengthening our position in the Australian market,” he said.
ASG currently operates a global fleet of 214 aircraft.
