Skytrans takeover-getting jets.

[lloyd fox]

Irish aviation giant snaps up Skytrans, plans major expansion
written by Jake Nelson | January 24, 2024

A Skytrans Cessna 208B Grand Caravan. (Image: Skytrans)

Queensland regional carrier Skytrans has been bought by Ireland-based aviation firm Avia Solutions Group, which has signalled plans to expand it into wet-leasing and jet operations.

Avia is a major player in the international ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) market, and currently holds 11 air operator certificates (AOCs) in different countries. Its purchase of Skytrans is expected to complete in March, subject to “fulfillment of specific transaction conditions”.
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[lloyd fox]

BREAKING: Skytrans sold to overseas aviation company
24 January 2024 | Matt Nicholls
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Skytrans CEO Alan Milne.

The biggest airline in Cape York and the Torres Strait has been sold to a major international aviation company.

Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider with a fleet of 199 aircraft, has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire Skytrans. The acquisition process is planned to be completed in March 2024, subject to the fulfillment of specific transaction conditions.

“Skytrans is an Australian-owned and operated airline and air charter business. The airline operates Regular Public Transport (RPT) and charter services, with a current fleet spanning 13 regional aircraft,” Avia said in a statement.

“The acquisition of Skytrans will grant the group an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in Australia, allowing it to operate both passenger and cargo flights. This is a significant step in the strategic expansion of the group in the Asia-Pacific region. Avia Solutions Group currently holds 11 AOCs globally. By the end of 2024, the group aims to establish and acquire 7 additional airlines in various countries, including Brazil, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, and Turkey.”

Jonas Janukenas, the CEO of Avia Solutions Group, said: “One of the main strategic objectives of the group is to expand into markets that have the opposite seasonality to Europe. 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.

Skytrans CEO Alan Milne said the acquisition could unlock new possibilities for the airline.

“Becoming a part of the group will give us the chance to benefit from the best business practices and experience, as well as expanding our operations, fleet, and geographic reach, while strengthening our position in the market,” he said.

Avia Solutions Group is the parent company to SmartLynx Airlines, Avion Express, AirExplore, KlasJet, Magma Aviation, and more, operating worldwide. The group also comprises a leading global provider of MRO services, FL Technics, with 100 line maintenance stations worldwide and maintenance hangars in Lithuania, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, Avia Solutions Group also operates the largest independent pilot training organization, BAA Training, with schools in Spain, Lithuania, and Vietnam.

[lloyd fox]

Australia's Skytrans to add jets by end of 2024

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I wonder what type they will get?

[MarkR]

They have a lot of parked A320s

[Greg Hyde]

Skytrans are advertising for Dash-8 and Airbus narrow body crews.

https://cargofacts.com/allposts/carr...-in-australia/

Cargo facts are reporting A321P2F which aligns with he crew requirements

[MarkR]

Takeover finalised yesterday and the new MD shed light on future plans:

According to the newly appointed Managing Director of Skytrans, Gytis Gumuliauskas, while the company’s current activities will be continued, the main goal is to extensively develop ACMI and wet lease operations:

“Passenger operations will be our main area of focus, with cargo being an area we’re willing to explore and develop in 2024 and beyond. To achieve these goals, we have plans of expanding the fleet with A319 aircraft for passenger and with A321F for cargo transportation.”

https://newsroom.aviator.aero/avia-s...ocs-worldwide/

[lloyd fox]

More info here from CH-aviation

Looks like 1 x 319 and 1 x 321F by years end



Avia Solutions Group has finalised its acquisition of Skytrans (QN, Cairns), providing the ACMI specialist with its twelfth air operator's certificate and a presence in the Southwest Pacific. Avia announced the deal's closure in a March 4 statement.

"This acquisition is part of our larger strategy, which is aimed at limiting the impact of seasonality while giving us access to new growing markets in Asia-Pacific and further afield," said Jonas Janukenas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group.

Skytrans is an established airline based in northern Queensland that operates scheduled passenger and charter flights, including closed charter FIFO services. Its fleet comprises 13 turboprops including five DHC-8-100s, one DHC-8-300, one DHC-8-Q300, and six Cessna (single turboprop) 208B Caravans. Avia says it intends to introduce at least one A321F and one passenger-configured A319-100 to the Australian market by the end of the year. ch-aviation flagged this in a report last month.

"Passenger operations will be our main area of focus, with cargo being an area we’re willing to explore and develop in 2024 and beyond," Janukenas said.

Skytrans is the second Australian operator to be acquired by a Europe-based entity in as many years, with ASL Aviation Group buying Pionair Australia (PH, Sydney Bankstown) in 2023 and rebranding it ASL Airlines Australia.

None of Avia Solutions Group's airlines operate turboprops, but ch-aviation is advised that Skytrans' new parent is willing to continue the existing turboprop services in Queensland while they remain profitable. Meanwhile, the expansion into jet operations will allow Skytrans to compete with the likes of Nauru Airlines (ON, Nauru), which has a handy business wet-leasing its passenger and freighters to small carriers in the region, often at short notice.