Avia Solutions Group Completes Acquisition of Skytrans, Expands into Southwest Pacific Market

Avia Solutions Group, a global provider of ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) services, has successfully completed the acquisition of Australian airline Skytrans (QN, Cairns), marking a significant expansion of its operations into the Southwest Pacific region. Announced on March 4, this acquisition adds a twelfth air operator’s certificate to Avia Solutions Group’s portfolio and signifies its entry into the Asia-Pacific aviation market.

Skytrans, with its headquarters in northern Queensland, is well-regarded for its extensive scheduled passenger and charter services, including specialized closed charter FIFO (Fly-In, Fly-Out) operations. The airline’s fleet consists of 13 turboprops, including five DHC-8-100s, one DHC-8-300, one DHC-8-Q300, and six Cessna 208B Caravans, serving a critical role in regional connectivity.

As part of its strategic integration into Avia Solutions Group, Skytrans is set to receive significant fleet enhancements, including the introduction of at least one Airbus A321F for cargo operations and a passenger-configured Airbus A319-100 by the end of the year. This move aligns with Avia Solutions Group’s ambition to diversify its service offerings and tap into new growth opportunities in the passenger and cargo sectors within the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Jonas Janukenas, CEO of Avia Solutions Group, emphasized the acquisition’s role in the company’s broader strategy to mitigate seasonal market fluctuations and penetrate emerging markets, noting the potential for further development in passenger and cargo operations starting in 2024.

This acquisition follows a trend of European entities establishing a foothold in the Australian aviation market, as seen with ASL Aviation Group’s purchase and subsequent rebranding of Pionair Australia to ASL Airlines Australia in 2023.

Despite Avia Solutions Group’s historically jet-focused operations, the conglomerate is open to continuing Skytrans’ turboprop services across Queensland as long as they remain profitable. Additionally, the foray into jet operations is poised to position Skytrans as a formidable competitor against regional carriers like Nauru Airlines, known for its versatile wet-leasing solutions in the passenger and freight segments.

The successful acquisition of Skytrans by Avia Solutions Group marks a new chapter for both entities, promising enhanced service offerings and operational capabilities in the dynamic Southwest Pacific aviation market.