SmartLynx Airlines
File:Smartlynx.JPG | |||||||
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Founded | 1992 (as LatCharter) | ||||||
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Commenced operations | 1993 | ||||||
Operating bases | Riga International Airport | ||||||
Subsidiaries | |||||||
Fleet size | 42 | ||||||
Parent company | Avia Solutions Group | ||||||
Headquarters | Mazrudas, Marupe, Latvia | ||||||
Key people | Zygimantas Surintas (CEO)[1] | ||||||
Website | smartlynx |
SmartLynx Airlines Limited, previously LatCharter, is a charter airline based in Mārupe, Latvia,[2] operating flights on wet lease out (ACMI), holiday charter flights, and ad hoc passenger charter flights across Europe, Africa and Asia.[2] In 2022 SmartLynx Airlines celebrated its 30th anniversary.
History
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Airbus_A320-211%2C_LatCharter_Airlines_AN1640459.jpg/300px-Airbus_A320-211%2C_LatCharter_Airlines_AN1640459.jpg)
The privately owned company started operations in 1993 with a leased Tupolev Tu-134B.[3]
In 2001, the Tupolev fleet was replaced with the larger Yakovlev Yak-42.
In 2003, first Airbus A320-200 was inducted into the service on behalf of the airline.[3]
In 2006, Loftleiðir, the aircraft lease arm of Icelandair Group, acquired a majority 55% shareholding in the LatCharter stock, and eventually the whole company.[4]
In 2007, the airline expanded its fleet by adding five more A320-200s and two 767-300s.[5] The aircraft were wet-leased to different airlines around the world. Since then, the ACMI market has been the company's primary focus, having operated for numerous carriers such as Air Malta,[6] SBA Airlines,[7] Finnair,[8] Condor.[9]
In 2008, the company was renamed SmartLynx Airlines.[10]
In 2012, the airline was bought from Icelandair in a management buy-out[11] also forming a single aircraft subsidiary Smartlynx Airlines Estonia to serve Estonian tour operators.[12][13][14]
In 2016, the company was bought by a Netherlands-based investment fund.[15]
In 2019, the airline established a subsidiary in Malta (SmartLynx Malta) which currently operates 7 A320-200s, 4 A321-200s, and 6 A330-300s. SmartLynx Airlines also became a family member of Avia Solutions Group.[citation needed]
In 2020, the airline expanded into air cargo transportation.[citation needed] In 2021, SmartLynx and DHL signed a partnership agreement. The partnership will include two of SmartLynx Malta A321-200s transporting freight and goods on behalf of the Deutsche Post subsidiary.
In October 2021, SmartLynx announced the establishment of an in-house line maintenance centre, SmartLynx Technik.[16]
In Dec 2021, the airlines announced plans to open a new office in Vilnius, Lithuania. [17]
In Feb 2022, SmartLynx Airlines signed an agreement with SMBC Aviation Capital to lease first two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. [18]
In March 2022, SmartLynx announced the introduction of first Airbus A330-300 freighters to its fleet. [19]
Training centre
SmartLynx Training Centre is an approved training organization (ATO) in the Baltic States, providing type rating courses for Airbus A320 series.
Fleet
Current fleet
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/SmartLynx_Airlines.jpg/300px-SmartLynx_Airlines.jpg)
As of March 2022[update], SmartLynx Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:[20][21]
Aircraft | In service |
Orders | Passengers | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Airbus A320-200 | 19 | 1 | 180 | |
Airbus A321-200 | 10 | — | 220 | |
Airbus A321-200P2F | 2 | 6[22] | Cargo | Operating for DHL |
Airbus A330-300 | 6 | — | TBA | Operating as preighters |
Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 2 | 2 | ||
Total | 39 | 9 |
See also
References
- ^ Dron, Alan (11 May 2018). "SmartLynx to focus expansion on North and Central America". Air Transport World. Archived from the original on 12 May 2018.
- ^ a b "About SmartLynx Airlines Archived 2014-02-02 at the Wayback Machine." About SmartLynx Airlines. Retrieved on 24 January 2014. "Address Mazrūdas, Mārupes novads, LV-2167."
- ^ a b "SmartLynx Airlines". www.smartlynx.aero.[verification needed]
- ^ "Loftleidir Icelandic acquires a minority stake in LatCharter Airlines". Alacra. Retrieved 2009-11-26. `Loftleidir Icelandic of Iceland (LI), a unit of FL Group, planned to acquire the remaining ... stake, which it did not already own, in LatCharter Airlines (LC), a Riga-based provider of charter flights services. Concurrently, LI acquired a…' Cite web requires|website= (help)[verification needed]
- ^ "LatCharter Airlines". Icelandair Group. Retrieved 2014-01-24. `total of nine aircraft, including two 767-300ERs.' Cite web requires|website= (help)[verification needed]
- ^ "Air Malta News Update". Ch-aviation. Retrieved 2014-01-24. Cite web requires|website=(help)[verification needed]
- ^ "SBA Airlines News Update". Ch-aviation. Retrieved 2014-01-24. Cite web requires|website=(help)[verification needed]
- ^ "Finnair will use A320-200 wet-leased from SmartLynx in September/October". Ch-aviation. Retrieved 2014-01-24. Cite web requires|website= (help)[verification needed]
- ^ "Latvia's SmartLynx wet-leasing A320s to Corendon and Condor". Ch-aviation. Retrieved 2014-01-24. Cite web requires|website=(help)[verification needed]
- ^ A Leap Forward – LatCharter Becomes SmartLynx Archived 2014-02-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 24 January 2014."[verification needed]
- ^ SmartLynx Airlines separates from Icelandair Group. Archived 2013-09-10 at the Wayback Machine[verification needed]
- ^ SmartLynx Airlines Estonia. Archived 2014-02-02 at the Wayback Machine[verification needed]
- ^ "SmartLynx establishes Estonian subsidiary for Tallinn charter flights". Ch-aviation. Retrieved 2014-01-24. Cite web requires|website= (help)[verification needed]
- ^ "Aviation Photo Search". Airliners.net.[verification needed]
- ^ "SmartLynx Airlines changes its logotype - News - Corporate - SmartLynx Airlines". www.smartlynx.aero.[verification needed]
- ^ Staff, Asian Aviation (2021-10-19). "SmartLynx opens new line MRO". Asian Aviation. Retrieved 2022-02-07.
- ^ "SmartLynx Airlines' expansion: a new competence and innovation centre is set to be opened in Vilnius". SmartLynx. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ "StackPath". www.smartlynx.aero. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ "SmartLynx Airlines to introduce first Airbus A330-300 freighters to its fleet". SmartLynx. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ "Fleet - Corporate - SmartLynx Airlines". www.smartlynx.aero. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
- ^ "SmartLynx Fleet Details and History". Planespotters.net. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ "EFW bags six A321P2Fs order from SmartLynx". www.aircargonews.net. February 16, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2022.
External links
Media related to SmartLynx Airlines at Wikimedia Commons
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- Airlines of Latvia
- Airlines established in 1992
- Icelandair
- Latvian companies established in 1992