Avion Express

Avion Express is a Lithuanian ACMI and aircraft leasing operator headquartered in Vilnius. The company is a part of Avia Solutions Group, a global aerospace business group.[3]

Avion Express
IATA ICAO Callsign
X9[1] NVD NORDVIND
Founded2005
Fleet size50
Parent companyEyjafjoll SAS
(owned by Avia Solutions Group)
HeadquartersVilnius, Lithuania
Key peopleDarius Kajokas (CEO)
Revenue€205.3 million (2022)[2]
Websiteavionexpress.aero
Avion Express headquarters in Vilnius

History

Avion Express was established in 2005 as Nordic Solutions Air Services. At that time, the airline was operating four Saab 340 cargo and passenger aircraft. In 2008 the company was re-branded to its current name Avion Express. In 2010 Avion Express was acquired by French investment company Eyjafjoll SAS, formed by Avion Capital Partners of Switzerland along with other investors.

In 2011 Avion Express introduced its first Airbus A320,[4] which was the first Airbus aircraft to be registered in Lithuania. In December, two more Airbus A320s were added to the fleet. In 2013, Avion Express successfully passed the IOSA Operational Safety Audit and consequently obtained an IATA registration. The last Saab 340 cargo aircraft was removed from operation in March 2013.[5] By summer of 2014, the airline was operating a fleet of nine Airbus A320s and two Airbus A319s. That same year Avion Express established a subsidiary company Dominican Wings,[6] a low-cost airline based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. In summer 2017 Avion Express introduced Airbus A321 aircraft to the company's fleet.[7]

In June 2017, Avion Express announced that it had sold its 65% stake in Dominican Wings to the president of the company, Mr. Victor Pacheco.[8][9]

In 2019 Avion Express established Avion Express Malta, a subsidiary company based in Malta.[10] The company started operations in May the same year.[11]

As of August 2023 the group operates 50 Airbus A320 and three A321 aircraft. [12]

Crew training

In August 2017, Avion Express signed partnership agreement with the Lithuanian Aviation Academy (VGTU A. Gustaitis’ Aviation Institute). The main focus of the partnership is providing student pilots and technical programme students with opportunities to learn more about aviation and the company, to gain experience while doing internships and to join the airline after their studies.[13] Since autumn 2017 Avion Express has also been collaborating with BAA Training on the cadet programme[14] for people with little or no flying experience. According to this partnership, BAA Training is training and providing pilots to fill the vacancies for the expanding fleet of Avion Express.[15] In April 2019, Avion Express announced the launch of its first MPL Training Programme with BAA Training.[16]

Destinations
Country City Airport Notes Refs
 AustriaSalzburgSalzburg Airport Wolfgang Amadeus Mozartbegins 3 February 2024[17]
 Egypt Sharm El Sheikh Sharm El Sheikh International AirportSeasonal [18]
Hurghada Hurghada International AirportSeasonal [18]
 JordanAqabaKing Hussein International Airportbegins 5 November 2023[19]
 LithuaniaVilniusVilnius AirportHub

The company performs charter flights for tour operators departing from Vilnius, but also a global ACMI service for traditional airlines.

Fleet
Avion Express Airbus A320-200

As of August 2023, Avion Express operates the following fleet: [20]

Aircraft In Service Passengers Notes
Airbus A320-200 48 180
Airbus A321-200 2 220
Total 50

References
  1. "IATA - Airline and Airport Code Search". Iata.org. Retrieved 11 April 2015.
  2. "Avia Solutions Group" (PDF). www.aviasg.com.
  3. "About Us". Avion Express. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  4. "Avion Capital Partners - News - Avion Express launches Airbus 320 Passenger Operation". acp.aero. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  5. "Avion Express retires its third and final Saab 340(F) freighter". ch-aviation. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  6. UBM (UK) Ltd. "Dominican Wings Receives First Airbus". Routesonline.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  7. "Airline for Airline: Avion Express". Flyavex.com. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  8. "Avion Express sells its Shares in Dominican Wings". Newsroom.aviator.aero. 30 June 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  9. "Dominican Wings relaunched as a ULCC". Ch-aviation.com. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  10. "Avion Express established subsidiary airline in Malta - Avion Express". Flyavex. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  11. "Global Airline Guide 2019 (Part One)". Airliner World. October 2019: 20.
  12. "„Avion Express" išplėtė orlaivių parką iki 50-ties lėktuvų". 15min.lt/verslas (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  13. Gaumina, e-solution: VGTU ITSC &. "Vilniaus Gedimino technikos universitetas - VGTU". Vgtu.lt. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  14. "BAA Training collaborates with Avion Express on cadet programme". Civilaviation.training. 3 October 2017. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  15. "Join Avion Express Cadet Programme". Baatraining.com. 16 November 2017. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  16. "Avion Express to launch its first MPL Training Programme with BAA Training". Flyavex. Retrieved 8 April 2019.
  17. "Avion Express Adds Vilnius – Salzburg in 1Q24". AeroRoutes. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  18. Migonytė, Sigita. ""Tiketa Tour" pradėjo skrydžus į Egiptą". vz.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  19. "Avion Express Adds Vilnius – Aqaba Service in NW23". AeroRoutes. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  20. "Fleet Archive". Avion Express. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
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