Latest news with #AviaSolutionsGroup
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Ascend Airways Malaysia advances AOC process
KUALA LUMPUR: Ascend Airways Malaysia, a new Malaysia-based airline and part of Avia Solutions Group, has progressed to phase three of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) application process and is targeting the launch of cargo operations in November 2025. In 2024, Ascend Airways Malaysia secured a Conditional Air Service Permit from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) and began the process of obtaining an AOC from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). In a statement today, the Kuala Lumpur-based aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) and charter airline said it will offer both passenger and cargo services. 'The airline's first Boeing 737-800 freighter is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia in the third quarter of 2025 to support the final stages of the AOC process and the launch of cargo operations. 'Two passenger-configured Boeing 737-800 aircraft will follow, with deliveries expected by the end of 2025 and early 2026,' it said. Ascend Airways Malaysia chief executive officer Germal Singh Khera said the airline aims to become a trusted ACMI partner, helping carriers enhance operational agility and meet growing demand for passenger and cargo services across the Asia-Pacific region. 'As a new ACMI airline in Malaysia, we are continually grateful for the support, global outlook, and proactive approach extended by the Ministry of Transport, CAAM, MAVCOM, and other relevant authorities advancing the aviation industry in Malaysia. 'This overwhelming support has enabled us to establish a solid operational foundation to assist air operators and their ambitions in the region,' he said. Meanwhile, Ascend Airways United Kingdom chief executive officer Alastair Willson said the Malaysian entity will form part of the group's broader seasonal fleet strategy. 'ACMI is a proven solution for airlines seeking to efficiently meet dynamic travel demand and unlock new revenue opportunities. We remain resolute in our aspirations to be leaders in this space,' he said. Avia Solutions Group already holds an AOC in Indonesia and is seeking regulatory approval for additional AOCs in Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia by the end of 2026.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Ascend Airways Malaysia advances AOC process, eyes November 2025 cargo launch
KUALA LUMPUR: Ascend Airways Malaysia, a new Malaysia-based airline and part of Avia Solutions Group, has progressed to phase three of the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) application process and is targeting the launch of cargo operations in November 2025. In 2024, Ascend Airways Malaysia secured a Conditional Air Service Permit from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) and began the process of obtaining an AOC from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM). In a statement today, the Kuala Lumpur-based aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) and charter airline said it will offer both passenger and cargo services. 'The airline's first Boeing 737-800 freighter is scheduled to arrive in Malaysia in the third quarter of 2025 to support the final stages of the AOC process and the launch of cargo operations. 'Two passenger-configured Boeing 737-800 aircraft will follow, with deliveries expected by the end of 2025 and early 2026,' it said. Ascend Airways Malaysia chief executive officer Germal Singh Khera said the airline aims to become a trusted ACMI partner, helping carriers enhance operational agility and meet growing demand for passenger and cargo services across the Asia-Pacific region. 'As a new ACMI airline in Malaysia, we are continually grateful for the support, global outlook, and proactive approach extended by the Ministry of Transport, CAAM, MAVCOM, and other relevant authorities advancing the aviation industry in Malaysia. 'This overwhelming support has enabled us to establish a solid operational foundation to assist air operators and their ambitions in the region,' he said. Meanwhile, Ascend Airways United Kingdom chief executive officer Alastair Willson said the Malaysian entity will form part of the group's broader seasonal fleet strategy. 'ACMI is a proven solution for airlines seeking to efficiently meet dynamic travel demand and unlock new revenue opportunities. We remain resolute in our aspirations to be leaders in this space,' he said. Avia Solutions Group already holds an AOC in Indonesia and is seeking regulatory approval for additional AOCs in Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia by the end of 2026.
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Ascend Airways Malaysia now in Phase 3 of AOC application process
KUALA LUMPUR: Ascend Airways Malaysia, a new Malaysia-based airline, has advanced to Phase 3 of its air operator certificate (AOC) application process, it said in a statement issued today. The Kuala Lumpur-based ACMI (aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance) and charter airline will be offering both passenger and cargo operations. A part of Avia Solutions Group, the largest ACMI provider in the world, the airline is targeting to launch its first cargo operations in November 2025, with passenger flights to follow. Ascend Airways Malaysia was granted its Conditional Air Service Permit (CASP) from the Malaysian Aviation Commission (MAVCOM) in 2024, and has since been working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to obtain its Air Operator Certificate (AOC). The process is currently in its final stages, with full flight operations expected to commence by end-2025. 'Ascend Airways remains focused and committed to deliver flexible ACMI solutions and develop its seasonal fleet strategy between the UK and Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region," said Alastair Willson, CEO of the UK-based Ascend Airways, the sister company of Ascend Airways Malaysia.
Travel Daily News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Slovakia's largest airline AirExplore marks 15 years in business
Founded in 2010 with one aircraft, AirExplore marks 15 years of growth, pioneering ACMI leasing, expanding globally, and joining Avia Solutions Group. The aviation industry in Europe has seen and weathered many crises over the last decades – from the financial crash of 2008 to the COVID-19 pandemic. And while these large-scale events led to the demise of many airlines, they also created the conditions for new players to soar. One of such examples is AirExplore – founded in 2010 with just one Boeing 737-400 aircraft, it has grown to become Slovakia's largest airline. With a fleet of 16 aircraft and with over 9 million passengers carried by the end of 2024, today AirExplore marks 15 years in operation – a time period which saw the entire business transform and pivot multiple times. Humble beginnings The company was founded by a group of aviation enthusiasts and former employees of several bankrupt Slovak airlines at a time when the local industry was in shambles. With limited resources, the company had to be creative, scrappy and inventive to get things moving. Even their first aircraft came from an unexpected source – a German aquarium equipment manufacturer, whose owner had purchased a Boeing 737-400 as a birthday present for his daughter. While they were looking for a buyer, it took persistence and enthusiasm to convince the owner that the fledgling Slovak company was a safe bet. 'As there were no direct flights to their city, we literally chipped in and paid a friend of ours to take us there on his Cessna. In three days we signed the agreement, and in about a month we got the plane to Slovakia. That was how it all started,' says Martin Stulajter, CEO of AirExplore, who was only 25 years old when their business began. 'Looking back at our journey, I think it was actually the best time to start an airline in 2010. Before AirExplore, I worked for another airline that did not survive the financial crisis of 2008. Unlike them, we began our operations when the market was starting to recover, which gave us a great boost.' Pioneering the ACMI business model Since day one, AirExplore has had a vision of operating their business in a way different from other airlines in the region. Rather than try and operate as a traditional carrier, they chose to focus on other airlines as clients, bringing them a cooperation model that is now commonly known as ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) leasing. If today, leasing a part of the fleet is a common practice for airlines seeking to maximise their potential during peak season, back in 2010 it took effort and education to get airlines onboard. 'When we started, the ACMI model was just emerging and many airlines weren't familiar with its advantages. We had to educate potential clients about how this approach could help them manage seasonal demand without the financial burden of owning additional aircraft that's underutilised during the low season,' explains Stulajter. AirExplore was one of the pioneers of ACMI services not just in the CEE region but in Europe as a whole. A defining milestone came in 2015, when the company became the first ACMI provider for Ryanair, Europe's largest airline. 'We were already in business for five years at that point but partnering with Ryanair brought a lot of learning opportunities. The experience taught us how to be very cost-effective and efficient, how to be quick, and how to use all the digital tools to ensure 20-minute turnarounds,' explains Stulajter. The partnership even influenced Ryanair's network development, with AirExplore helping to establish the carrier's Bratislava base. 15 years of growth The ability of AirExplore to adjust to changes proved helpful during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it pivoted to transport essential medical supplies, conduct humanitarian flights, and facilitate repatriation missions while passenger services were curtailed. Over the years it has been in operation, AirExplore has achieved an impressive track record: 72,087 flights operated, 202,211 block hours accumulated, and over 9 million passengers carried by the end of 2024. From its initial 50 employees, the company has expanded to over 400 staff in 2025, representing 26 different nationalities. The airline's fleet has also grown accordingly, from a single aircraft to 16 Boeing 737-800s today. Since entering cargo operations in 2022, the company has transported nearly 30,000 tons of cargo, significantly strengthening its position in both passenger and cargo markets. Today, the company's global footprint extends to regions as diverse as Palau in the Pacific, Taiwan in Asia, Surinam in South America, and numerous African countries. Throughout its history, AirExplore has served dozens of clients across four continents, maintaining the highest safety standards with IOSA certification since 2015. Taking operations to a truly global leve A transformative moment in AirExplore's history came in June 2023 when it was acquired by Avia Solutions Group, the world's largest ACMI provider operating a fleet of 221 aircraft. 'After joining Avia Solutions Group, it took us less than a year to double our fleet,' Stulajter notes. 'We also learned to become more systematic in the way we manage the company, incorporating data at every stage of the decision making process'. The partnership brought not just access to capital but also a wide network of connections across the group and beyond it. This collaboration has accelerated AirExplore's expansion, with the company recently receiving approval from the US Department of Transportation to operate commercial flights to and within the United States. 'This is a fantastic moment for AirExplore as we continue to grow our international presence,' Stulajter remarks. 'The approval reflects the benefits of being backed by Avia Solutions Group and presents exciting opportunities for our future development.' Expanding reach The ACMI model continues to gain importance as airlines seek operational flexibility without high capital expenditure. 'There is a lot of uncertainty in the market, and with OEMs struggling to deliver orders, the issue of capacity has never been this acute. As ACMI providers, we can solve this headache and help airlines maximize profitability,' observes Stulajter. Looking beyond Europe, AirExplore is expanding its focus to emerging markets with significant growth potential, particularly in Asia and Africa. The company is investing in sustainability initiatives, including exploring sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to reduce its carbon footprint. Looking toward the future, Stulajter's aspirations remain anchored in a passion for aviation rather than purely financial metrics. 'My ultimate goal is to keep the company running, to keep the company growing, and to make sure that we are always a preferred provider to our clients. We are becoming one of the oldest airlines ever in Slovakia. I'd like to see AirExplore in the air as long as possible.' From a single aircraft secured through an unlikely connection to Slovakia's aviation success story, AirExplore's journey embodies the power of entrepreneurial vision, adaptability, and technical excellence in the ever-evolving world of aviation.
Travel Daily News
08-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
KlasJet expands presence in Germany with Berlin and Cologne bases
KlasJet expands in Germany, basing aircraft in Cologne and Berlin to offer flexible, last-minute charter flights across Europe. KlasJet, an exclusive private and corporate jet charter company and part of Avia Solutions Group, the world's largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) provider, is strengthening its position in Germany by basing its aircraft at Cologne and Berlin airports. This move will allow it to better serve the needs of corporate and private customers across Europe. Germany is Europe's largest economy, and Berlin-Tegel, Berlin-Schönefeld, and Cologne-Bonn airports are in the 50 busiest airports in Europe. This makes both cities ideal launchpads for traveling to most European destinations by regular flights, but in many cases the offering of traditional carriers does not meet the last-minute and specific needs of businesses. This is where corporate jet charter providers can make a difference. According to Edvinas Finenko, Sales Development Manager at KlasJet, the company chose Cologne because the Cologne-Bonn Airport is one of the few airports in Germany that operate 24/7. From here, KlasJet will serve the needs of the western part of Germany and other central European countries. Meanwhile, Berlin will cover the demand of the eastern part of Germany. 'We plan on cycling our aircraft through different airports, depending on the demand. Chartered flights can offer the customers the advantage of flexibility, speed, and discreetness. Additionally, from our new bases, we'll be able to provide travelers with more competitive pricing,' Edvinas Finenko says. Germany is still the largest economy in the European Union, with a GDP of 4,305 billion euros and an impressive list of major companies across such sectors as automotive, manufacturing and tech. Client visits and participation in in-person events like expos and trade shows is a major part of German business culture. 'Sometimes, clients need to bring their entire team to another location on a short notice. As our crew will always be near the airport, we can provide a competitive charter offer almost immediately. We also work closely with our partners who handle and provide exclusive VIP services. This allows us to meet any specific demands of our clients quickly,' shares Edvinas Finenko. It is also worth noting that KlasJet charter services are available for groups starting from as few as 30 passengers, making it a flexible and efficient solution for medium-sized teams. The size of the chartered flight market is projected to increase by 7.1% per year and reach $60.97 billion by 2030. At the same time, pricing is becoming increasingly competitive. For example, a 2-hour round trip from Cologne or Berlin can cost as little as €800 per passenger. 'The main benefit here is comfort. We have all the experience necessary to offer tailored services. Not only to get the clients to where they need to go, but also to inform them about all procedures at unknown airports and offer the most cost-effective solutions. On top of that, there is 24/7 support. We are always ready to solve and clarify anything that might come up', says Edvinas Finenko. KlasJet operates a fleet of 14 aircraft, offering capacities ranging from 56 to 104 seats for VIP services and 186 to 189 passengers for ACMI leasing. KlasJet is part of the Avia Solutions Group, the world's largest ACMI provider, operating a fleet of 221 aircraft. The group also offers a range of aviation services, including pilot and crew training, ground handling, and various associated aviation support.
