Avion Express grows by aiding airlines hit by B737 MAX grounding

Vilnius-based ‘airline for airlines’ will operate 22 Airbus A320 family aircraft (Avion Express)

The sudden grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft brought unexpected challenges to many airlines across the world. In reaction to this, Avion Express, Lithuania’s aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) specialist, has ramped up its ability to support its current and new clients.

Typically, with more than 11 per cent of its fleet grounded, Norwegian, Europe’s third largest airline, turned to Avion Express for assistance and, consequently, the Vilnius-based ACMI operator is now to provide up to four Airbus A320 aircraft to operate for Norwegian in the April-June 2019 timeframe. Additionally, in March-April 2019 Avion Express provided services for Royal Air Maroc to assist the airline in overcoming the absence of its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

While supporting the above mentioned operations during the first part of this year, Avion Express has also kept continuously working with its other long- and short-term customers such as Thomas Cook Airlines, Condor, Sky Angkor Airlines, SunExpress, Onur Air, Tunis Air and Transavia, the company says. “So far 2019 has been very dynamic for us,” comments Avion Express’ chief executive Darius Kajokas. “Day in, day out, we dedicate our efforts to helping our customers – that is our scheduled and charter airlines – to cope with the challenges they are encountering, such as seasonality, shortage of crews, the grounding of aircraft or late aircraft deliveries and other issues,” he adds.

Avion Express is currently working with clients in Europe, Africa, South America and in the Asia-Pacific region. In 2019 the airline will operate 22 Airbus A320 family aircraft.