Category Archives: SmartLynx Airlines (Estonia)

SmartLynx increases its leased flights to 75% of its revenue

SmartLynx Airlines has found an attractive niche in the European airline industry – flying its airplanes for other airlines seeking additional capacity and crews. The percentage of flights flown for other airlines has grown to 75% of its total flights.

As a result, the carrier expects to grow its fleet from the current 44 aircraft to 60 by the end of the summer.

The airline issued this statement:

SmartLynx Airlines provides Aircraft-Crew-Maintenance-Insurance services to help several European airlines deal with a resource crisis caused by the rising passenger numbers, lack of spare parts, and labour shortages. The company currently operates a fleet of 44 aircraft, which is expected to increase to 60 by the end of the summer, making SmartLynx Airlines the operator of the largest aircraft fleet in the Baltic countries.

In most cases, Aircraft-Crew-Maintenance-Insurance is a short- or medium-term solution so that airlines could ensure the necessary number of flights during the high season. Airlines that have large fleets also use this service when an aircraft has technical problems and a quick solution is needed, which also comes with excellent service. SmartLynx Airlines is currently one of the largest ACMI operators in Europe with a 30% market share, and the largest in Great Britain (69%). The expansion in the British market is due to the fact that, in the wake of Brexit, airlines are short of employees as crews of UK-registered aircraft must have British visas, which is why airlines prefer to lease aircraft with crews.

Using the crisis as an opportunity

The carrier offers other airlines to lease its aircraft, providing aircraft alone, aircraft with crew – pilots and cabin crew members, as well as performing technical maintenance of the aircraft. SmartLynx Airlines is to invest a total of EUR 50 million in new and sustainable technologies this year, which will make it even more efficient in the future.

So far in 2022, leased flights accounted for 75% of SmartLynx Airlines operations, charter flights for 15%, and cargo transportation for 10%. The airline operates from several airports in Europe and Africa.

SmartLynx Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

SmartLynx Airlines to expand its fleet to around 60 aircraft this summer

SmartLynx Airlines has made this announcement:

This week, Latvia’s oldest operating carrier SmartLynx Airlines marks its 30th anniversary. In the summer season, the airline plans to have about 60 airplanes, becoming the largest air fleet operator in the Baltic states.

Presently, SmartLynx Airlines operates 33 airplanes, in April three more will be delivered, and the other 22 will be delivered gradually by the end of the summer season. The company’s fleet consists of Airbus A320 (25), A330-300 (6), and A321 (4) aircraft. There are two other Airbus A321F air cargo jets, and in April the company will receive the first Boeing 737 MAX.

“We expect that in relation to the fleet size, this year we will be ahead the world’s largest names in aviation, but we will be able to speak about it in more detail when we have received all the aircraft. The experience obtained during the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis helped us to continue sustainable development so that we could mark our 30th anniversary with a record-high number of airplanes. As our fleet is expanding, the number of our employees is also increasing – we have already 300 employees in our Riga office, and by the end of the year we plan to fill in 40 more vacancies. We hope to see our next anniversary as the largest Latvian employer in aviation,” said SmartLynx Airlines head Zygimantas Surintas.

Developing new business directions during crisis

The pandemic is called the most severe crisis in the aviation history, however, despite the sudden strike, SmartLynx Airlines during this time has not only managed to maintain its operations, but also develop new business directions. The air cargo fleet has been expanded significantly, and air cargo transportation will be one of the company’s main strategic directions also in the future. The airline announced on opening fleet service centre SmartLynx Technik in Riga and Tallinn. Meanwhile, two geographically significant players – Royal Air Maroc in Morocco and Air Peace in Nigeria were added to the client portfolio for full-service ACMI aircraft lease services.

The company’s subsidiary SmartLynx Malta announced on a significant step, signing a partnership agreement with DHL Express, providing that the two recently refurbished cargo jets Airbus A321-200 will join the DHL European air fleet. The company during the pandemic has managed to keep and maintain cooperation with the largest partners from the pre-pandemic period, such as EasyJet, TUI and Jet2.

Development plans not only in Europe, but also in other continents

As the company’s head says, the main strategic direction of SmartLynx Airlines will be to strengthen the airline’s leading position as a trustworthy passenger and air cargo carrier not only in Europe, but also in other continents.

At present, the main business share of SmartLynx Airlines is organization of passenger charter flights to different resorts and special destinations. A large business share is related with leasing the company’s jets, services and staff to those airlines who wish to expand their range of services.

SmartLynx Airlines long-term clients include easyJet, TUI, Jet2. Recently such companies as DHL, Qatar Airways, Air Peace, Royal Air Morocco, and others have joined the client portfolio.

Routes from Riga: