SmartLynx Airlines set for Australia operations

ACMI, charter and cargo operator SmartLynx Airlines has received an Australian Foreign Air Transport Operator Certificate (FATAOC) from the Australian Civil Aviation Authority.

The certification allows the airline to begin operations to, from, and within Australia.

Operating flights to Australia has been integral to SmartLynx’s strategic plans to expand its global network by entering new markets, said the airline.

The certificate authorises the airline to start operations in Australia with Airbus A330 aircraft, and SmartLynx also plans to receive certification for A320, A321, and B737 aircraft types.

Zygimantas Surintas, chief executive of SmartLynx Airlines, said: “We are proud to start operations on the Australian continent. This step is proof of our commitment to becoming the world’s leading and trustworthy ACMI airline.

“The foreign air operator certification in Australia strengthens our competitive advantage to offer wet-lease services to international airlines and tour operators which already operate or plan cross-continental flights to and from this destination.”

Latvian-based SmartLynx Airlines is the largest ACMI service provider in Europe, owning one-third of the market.

Today the airline operates also in the US, North America, Asia and Africa.

The company holds Air Operator Certificates (AOC) in Latvia, Estonia, and Malta.

The current fleet size consists of 55 aircraft. By the end of this year, this is set to increase to 65 aircraft, including Airbus A320 (29), A330-300 (6), A321 (8), Airbus A321F (13), and Boeing 737 MAX (9) aircraft.