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Queensland-based regional airline Skytrans has rebranded to SmartLynx Australia under its new owner Avia Solutions Group (ASG).
ASG, which purchased Skytrans last year and expanded it into wet-leasing operations with Airbus A319s, is bringing the airline’s branding in line with other carriers it owns including EU-based SmartLynx Airlines and Thailand-based Thai SmartLynx.
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The airline says that its existing RPT and charter operations will continue unaffected, but its “strategic focus will be on establishing itself as an ACMI provider of both turboprop and narrow-body jet engine aircraft” and it is expanding its fleet to 13 planes, including A319s and Dash 8-200s.
“The new brand marks a new stage for the business – one that bridges the quality transportation services Skytrans was known for locally and the new line of business – ACMI – that Avia Solutions Group has perfected,” said Gytis Gumuliauskas, managing director and CEO of SmartLynx Australia.
“Our fleet size fluctuates throughout the year based on seasonal demand and operational requirements. However, we plan to expand our total fleet by the end of 2025 to provide greater operational flexibility and enhanced solutions for our clients.
“In the long term, we are oriented toward ambitious growth, which includes increasing the number of aircraft, expanding the team, and adding new markets and business directions.”
Jonas Janukenas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group, said that SmartLynx Australia will play an important role in ASG’s plans for the Asia-Pacific.
“Our global expansion strategy is built around geographic diversification. By establishing operations across different continents and time zones, we create a natural hedge against seasonal fluctuations that affect individual markets,” he said.
“SmartLynx Australia represents a key piece of this puzzle, offering us the opportunity to both optimise our fleet use and serve the growing demand in the Asia-Pacific region.”
SmartLynx Australia received CASA approval for its ACMI services earlier this year, with its second A319 having arrived in Australia in February after the first touched down in December.
The airline is looking to use its A319s to boost passenger capacity for airline clients during peak seasons, as well as allow other regional carriers to test new routes, and offer airlines a stopgap measure while their own aircraft are undergoing maintenance.
SmartLynx expects an initial batch of three A319s by the end of the year, ramping up to 13-15 within the next five years. It currently operates a fleet of turboprops, including Dash 8s and Cessna Grand Caravans, and will acquire more Dash 8s from QantasLink for Lord Howe Island services.
