Tag Archives: SmartLynx Airlines

SmartLynx Airlines adds a second Airbus A330 for Condor

In June 2022, SmartLynx Airlines landed in the long-haul market and started operations for Condor with an Airbus A330. For the winter season, another aircraft of the type has been added from December 2022. 

The current flight schedule from Frankfurt includes, at peak times, up to 4 weekly connections to New York (JFK), two weekly connections to Toronto (YYZ), and five weekly connections to Punta Cana (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic.

The two Airbus A330s have Business and Economy Class, are between 8 and 9 years old, and fly in Condor colors. Passengers are looked after by a German-speaking Condor cabin crew and an English-speaking SmartLynx crew. All meals on board are provided by Condor.

The cooperation between Condor and SmartLynx has been in place since 2018, and its continuation is part of SmartLynx’s growth strategy to gain a foothold in the long-haul business and dynamic German market.

Top Copyright Photo: Condor Flugdienst (SmartLynx Malta) Airbus A330-343 9H-SMD (msn 1382) (partial Condor Sea) YYZ (TMK Photography). Image: 959342.

Condor aircraft photo gallery:

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

Airline Color Scheme - Introduced 2008

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:

Routes from Tallinn:

Top Copyright Photo: SmartLynx Airlines Estonia Airbus A320-232 ES-SAM (msn 1896) ZRH (Rolf Wallner). Image: 927299.

SmartLynx Airlines aircraft slide show:

SmartLynx Airlines aircraft photo gallery:

SmartLynx sourcing over 1,000 personnel for its growing team

SmartLynx Airlines has made this announcement:

As the pandemic laid waste to businesses around the world, some forward-thinking companies used the opportunity to create new and more diversified business strategies. SmartLynx Airlines, a subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group, took this time of disruption to diversify its business model and take in over 1,000 new personnel to service its expanding fleet.

Transforming its single-strategy business line to a triple-strategy model – passenger narrow-body, passenger long-haul, and cargo narrow-body/long-haul flights – the European ACMI, charter and cargo operator is approaching the traditional high season. With its biggest fleet to date, the airline actively engaged in a highlighted international cabin and flight crew onboarding process. 

In February 2022, SmartLynx had signed an agreement with SMBC Aviation Capital for the lease of two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, two of which will join the company’s fleet in the spring of this year. With such an increase in capability, the company is currently in the process of gathering over 1,000 additional flight and cabin crew members to service its expanding fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

As part of the sourcing process, SmartLynx Airlines has already conducted ‘open-door days’ for cabin crew in February and continues into March at locations across Europe. The events attracted record numbers of attendees where it was announced that SmartLynx was happy and willing to meet those with no previous flight experience as all of the necessary training courses will be provided directly by SmartLynx.

SmartLynx Airlines began 2021 with a fleet of 12 aircraft that grew to 36 units by the end of the year. Following on the back of such massive growth, the company is now focused on growing its fleet to 65 units by the end of 2022, including the addition of 8 cargo freighters.

SmartLynx Airlines to welcome the first Airbus A330-300P2F

SmartLynx Airlines has made this announcement:

In a move to bolster its position as a leading air cargo carrier, SmartLynx Airlines has signed an agreement with Air Transport Services Group to be one of the first customers to take delivery of 6 Airbus A330-300 P2F converted cargo freighters under the terms of a six-year lease.

SmartLynx Airlines is an integral part of Avia Solutions Group, a leading global aerospace services group providing aviation services and solutions worldwide, for whom the introduction of the new A330-300 P2F will reflect the company’s commitment to operating a modern, and environmentally-friendly fleet.

According to Zygimantas Surintas, CEO of SmartLynx Airlines, “The introduction of the A330-300 is a logical step and one which creates relevant synergies with the rest of our fleet – A330 Pax and A321F units – and as an aircraft which will see increased popularity in a post-Covid environment. For us, the move comes as part of our fleet modernisation strategy providing greater capacity and efficiency and is another step towards SmartLynx Airlines becoming a leading global player in the air cargo marketplace.”

With the first of the aircraft due to join the SmartLynx fleet, in 2023, the A330 type offers the benefits of unmatched operational economics and versatility, with over 1,500 orders on Airbus’ books and over 1,100 units operational for 110 operators worldwide, the aircraft is historically one of the most popular widebody aircraft ever to come into service. 

With a maximum structural payload of up to 61 tons, and a range of up 6,660 km (3,600 nm), the A330-300’s combination of payload and range place the aircraft as a unique and perfect solution for cargo operators when the availability of freighters is inadequate to cover the market requirements.

As part of the most modern and reliable family of aircraft in operation today, the A330 – equipped with state-of-the-art technology – provides a quality solution for every route and comes with the operational reliability of 99.4%.

The A330-300 conversions offer an impressive range of features:

  • Main deck cargo door: 41” clear width & 101” clear height, hydraulically operated 
  • Reinforced floor grid & new freighter floor panels 
  • Cargo Loading System 
  • Additional revenues per flight – The 96“ side-by-side AMV containers make full use of Airbus superior cross-section allowing up to 10% more volume compared to 88“ × 125“ ULD

SmartLynx Airlines to become a new Boeing 737 MAX operator

SmartLynx Airlines has announced it will become a Boeing customer again:

The beginning of 2022 marks a significant milestone in SmartLynx Airlines’ expansion. The leading ACMI and charter operator has signed an agreement with SMBC Aviation Capital to lease two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to meet growing demand from European and overseas markets. This deal launches a successful partnership between the airline and one of the biggest global lessors, with deliveries of the aircraft to SmartLynx Airlines already being underway. 

Such strategic expansion into the Boeing aircraft family will allow SmartLynx Airlines to build a reliable fleet that will ensure the provision of even greater and more versatile products and services. Additionally, the longer range of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 opens new market opportunities for SmartLynx Airlines and its customers.

SMBC Aviation Capital is one of the world’s leading aircraft operating lease companies and will be the first lessor to support SmartLynx with 737 MAX 8 type aircraft.

The first two 737 MAX 8 units will be introduced to the SmartLynx fleet in April, with further type additions planned later in the Summer, 2022. To ensure successful deliveries, SmartLynx has also entered into a partnership with Boeing, which will support airline throughout the whole entry into the service process.  

The 737 MAX 8 will be the first returning Boeing aircraft to be operated by SmartLynx Airlines after a decade long break. 

A recruitment campaign has already been launched to source suitably qualified crews for the newly leased aircraft.