The announcement was made on July 30, 2024. According to Chorus, the company精东影业 goal is to cover both corporate debt and debts related to aircraft.  

The deal will allow Chorus to get rid of US$1.7 billion in financing, which consists of US$814 million in cash debt and US$1.1 billion in debt related to aircraft. The sale will reduce the company精东影业 leverage ratio by half, from 3.6x to 1.8x.  

“This transaction will allow us to significantly reduce our debt and corporate financings, leaving Chorus with strong and predictable free cash flows from our long-term contracts,鈥� Colin Copp, President and Chief Executive Officer of Chorus, said in a press release. 鈥淭hat will enable us to implement a sustainable return of capital program for our common shareholders and invest in future growth.” 

He added: “We will leverage our deep operational expertise and capabilities to focus our growth on aviation services, as demonstrated by recent growth in Voyageur精东影业 business.” 

Brookfield Asset Management and Air Canada, Chorus鈥� biggest investors with around 13.2% and 8.1% of shares respectively, have approved the agreement.  

“We support the decision to sell the RAL segment, which allows the company to execute on its strategic plans, and we appreciate management精东影业 efforts in negotiating a favorable transaction for Chorus,” commented Frank Yu, a Managing Partner in Brookfield精东影业 Special Investments program. 

Following the debt payments, the company expects a 29% increase in free cash flow. 

The deal is expected to close by the end of 2024. 

During periods of peak passenger traffic, such as Europe精东影业 summer season, or aircraft capacity constraints experienced during industry-wide aircraft groundings, ACMI services provide an alternative to deep financial investment into aircraft capacity for airlines seeking to shore up their fleets.   

Jonas Janukenas,听CEO of global ACMI capacity provider Avia Solutions听Group听shares in an interview听of听the growing acceptance of ACMI听鈥渁s a mainstream business [practice among airlines], as part of their long-term strategy.鈥�

Avia Solutions Group, based in Dublin Ireland, is known to be the world精东影业 largest ACMI capacity provider operating a fleet of 212 aircraft. 

In a , released in April 2024, Avia Solutions Group announced its audited financial results for 2023, reporting revenues of EUR 2.3 billion, up 22% from the year before. According to the statement EUR 950 million of the Group’s revenues were attributed to passenger aircraft ACMI services.

According to Janukenas, establishing global aircraft operator certificates (AOC) infrastructure is key to the ACMI business model’s success.

鈥淭o achieve good utilization, we move aircraft to opposite seasonality areas,鈥� said Janukenas in an Aviation Forum interview.

Avia Solutions Group operates 12 AOCs serving passenger and cargo ACMI businesses and is a parent company to SmartLynx Airlines, Avion Express, AirExplore, Ascend Airways, BBN Airlines Indonesia, KlasJet, Magma Aviation, Skytrans and other AOCs and aviation business entities.

SmartLynx Airlines set for 100-strong aircraft fleet by 2027, says new CEO

• Airlines

byAvia Solutions Group

March 28, 2024

However, the group aims to expand its fleet and capacity to 18 AOCs by the end of 2024, including plans to establish four ACMI-dedicated AOCs in Latin America and the Asia Pacific, namely Brazil, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia.

鈥淲e want to create all the infrastructure for an efficient and effective, both time- and cost-wise, network of different AOC across the globe,鈥� Janukenas highlighted.

The Dublin-based group also provides a spectrum of aviation services which include aircraft maintenance and repair services (MRO) through its subsidiary FL Technics, with technical maintenance and repair hangars in Indonesia, the United Kingdom, and Lithuania, along with 100 operational maintenance stations in various countries. 

Among the Group’s companies is the largest independent pilot training centre, BAA Training, with pilot schools in Spain, France, Lithuania, and Vietnam.

According to the publication, United Airlines is in the market for 36 or more Airbus A321neo aircraft as it responds to delays of the Boeing 737 MAX 10.听听

Speaking with sources familiar with the matter, was told that the jets are due to be delivered between 2025 and 2027.听

At a JPMorgan investor conference on March 12, 2024, United CEO Scott Kirby appeared to confirm rumors that the airline was looking to the Airbus A321 as a possible alternative to some of the MAX 10s it has on order.听听听听

鈥淲e are in the market for A321s, and if we get a deal where the economics work, we鈥檒l do something. If we don鈥檛, we won鈥檛 and will wind up with more Max 9s,鈥� Kirby said.   

Kirby also said that he had told Boeing to 鈥渟top building Max 10s, which they鈥檝e done for us, and start building Max 9s鈥�. 

Once the MAX 10 receives certification, United will switch back to the larger family aircraft variant.   

The move to acquire A321neos comes as type certification of the MAX 10 looks increasingly unlikely to happen within the next couple of years, with Boeing精东影业 production ambitions hampered by the Alaska Airlines door plug blowout and resulting investigations.听

United tells Boeing to swap 737 MAX 10 build for MAX 9s; A321 talks confirmed听

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

March 13, 2024

Norse, a Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline, announced on February 12, 2024, that it will extend the subleases on four of its 15 787 Dreamliners.听听

Three Boeing 787-8s have been extended by up to one year from the original return date and will now be redelivered to Norse between the end of March and the end of May 2025.   

While one Boeing 787-9 will be extended by just two months, therefore returning to Norse in early May 2024, ahead of it entering the peak summer flying program. 

All 15 of Norse精东影业 Dreamliners are on long-term flexible lease terms agreed during 2021 when lease rates were at historical low prices. 

Norse took the opportunity to 鈥渋ncrease secured total cash profit鈥� by extending the subleases which the airline has on a fixed price, with no inflationary adjustments.  

鈥淭his extension to the sublease agreements for four of our Dreamliner aircraft provides a further opportunity to increase secured total cash profit during the lease period. Our strategy is to grow at a steady pace in line with market demand,鈥� Bj酶rn Tore Larsen, CEO and Founder Norse Atlantic Airways, said. 

He added: 鈥淲e intend to operate 12 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft during our summer 2024 season, and we look forward to building up to a fully operational fleet of 15 aircraft in 2025.鈥� 

Norse sees strong forward bookings for 2024 and expects first profits听

• Aviation Economics & Finance

byLuke Peters

January 9, 2024

In total, Azorra has purchased 12 Airbus A220s, all of which were owned by EGYPTAIR and less than five years old.听听

John Evans, CEO and Founder of Azorra, said: 鈥淥ur strong partnerships with Airbus and Pratt & Whitney have been key to facilitating this creative transaction. These young, well-maintained aircraft with freshly overhauled, updated engines from Pratt & Whitney have strong market demand and are very attractive to Azorra精东影业 rapidly growing customer base.鈥�  

He added: 鈥淲e are so grateful for EGYPTAIR精东影业 trust and confidence in Azorra to provide a fleet transition solution, while clearing the path for new Airbus widebody aircraft.鈥� 

The agreement between EGYPTAIR and Azorra was announced on February 1, 2024, just three months after the carrier confirmed deals for new planes with Airbus and Air Lease Corporation (ALC) at the Dubai Airshow 2023.  

In Dubai, the EGYPTAIR CEO Yehia Zakaria announced the airline will lease 18 Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets from ALC, with delivery expected from the start of 2025 through to 2026.听听听听

More significantly, though, EGYPTAIR also announced at the air show that it had placed an order with Airbus for 10 A350-900 widebody planes which will eventually become the carrier精东影业 flagship aircraft.听听

Airbus designed the A220 family aircraft to feel like a wide-body aircraft, but with the arrival of the A350 on the horizon, EGYPTAIR may feel that the single-aisle Airbus is now surplus to requirements.  

According to ch-aviation.com, only two of EGYPTAIR精东影业 A220-300s are currently active, leaving 10 unused. 

鈥淲e highly value the creativeness shown by . We are thankful to the team for their commitment which led to such a successful transaction,鈥� Zakaria said.听听

EGYPTAIR signs second Dubai Airshow deal with order for 10 Airbus A350s听

• Aircraft
• Airlines
• Dubai Airshow 2023

byIan Molyneaux

November 14, 2023

The deal announced on January 29, 2024, will see (DAE) transfer the new aircraft over to Turkish Airlines in 2025.听听

鈥淲e are delighted to further deepen our already strong and long-term relationship with Turkish Airlines and to provide them a solution to their growing fleet requirements with these new technology, fuel efficient aircraft. We thank Turkish Airlines for their ongoing trust in DAE and wish them much success with their new fleet additions,鈥� Firoz Tarapore, Chief Executive Officer of DAE, said. 

Turkish Airlines also ordered 10 A350-900s in September 2023, and four of the same widebody aircraft in July 2023. 

On December 15, 2023, Airbus and Turkish Airlines announced a jumbo deal between the two aviation superpowers.  

Turkish Airlines placed an order for 220 aircraft, comprising of 150 A321 aircraft, 50 A350-900s, 15 A350-1000s and five A350F freighters. 

This brings the airline精东影业 Airbus order book to 504, 212 of which have already been delivered.    

The Turkish flag carrier has also struck deals with other lessors such as AerCap for 28 Boeing aircraft comprising of three 787-9s and 25 737 MAX 8s in October 2023.听

DAE is owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, the investment arm of the Government of Dubai.

Turkish Airlines orders 220 Airbus aircraft: 150 A321s, 70 A350s听

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byMiquel Ros

December 15, 2023

The four 122-seater Embraer E195-E1 aircraft, acquired on a multi-year lease agreement, will see Helvetic Airways鈥� fleet size increase to 22 planes.听

The 2011-built aircraft are expected to join Helvetic Airways’ fleet at the beginning of the second quarter of 2024.   

“The four completely reconfigured and modernized aircraft will ideally complement our existing fleet. They will allow us to maintain a stable flight schedule even under the current challenging conditions and guarantee our customers a high level of reliability, planning security and, above all, punctuality,鈥� Helvetic Airways CEO Tobias Pogorevc said. 

According to a statement by Helvetic Airways on January 15, 2024, the aircraft have a brand-new and modern interior in a 2-2 configuration with no middle seats. 

鈥淥f course, the red carpet typical of Helvetic Airways will not be missing,鈥� the airline said. 

Helvetic Airways will deploy the four larger E195s on its existing flight network following the two Embraer E190s that entered service in summer 2023. 

“Helvetic Airways is an exciting new customer relationship for Azorra and we appreciate their trust and commitment to this transaction. Helvetic Airways has high standards in customer service, quality and operations and we are investing in these aircraft to achieve those standards. We look forward to delivering the aircraft and assisting further in their future fleet plan and finance objectives,鈥� Michael Davis, Chief Marketing Officer of , said.听

As of the summer 2024, Helvetic Airways will operate four Embraer E195-E2s, eight E190-E2s, six E190s and four E195s.听

Lufthansa hunting for 13,000 new recruits with four areas most in need of staff

• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

January 15, 2024

Announced on August 14, 2023, DAE said that an 鈥渁ffiliate had signed a definitive agreement to acquire the rights, interests, and obligations of a portfolio of 64 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft from a wholly owned subsidiary of China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC)鈥�.听 听

The portfolio attained includes 737 MAX 8s, 737 MAX 9s and the 737 MAX 10 aircraft, which is still yet to be certified. 

Delivery of the aircraft is scheduled to occur between 2023 and 2026, however the exact terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 

鈥淲e are delighted to be able to conclude this transaction with CALC to acquire a unique portfolio of 100% new technology, fuel efficient single aisle aircraft,鈥� DAE精东影业 CEO, Firoz Tarapore, said. 鈥淭his transaction will also allow us to further deepen our existing relationship with Boeing and CFM International. Since inception and including this transaction, DAE has acquired and is committed to acquire approximately 500 Boeing aircraft. We look forward to growing this relationship even further in the coming years.鈥� 

Tarapore added: 鈥淎pproximately 20% of the acquired portfolio is on lease to airline clients who are also existing clients of DAE and we look forward to expanding our relationship with them. The remainder of the acquired portfolio of assets will be placed directly by DAE in the coming quarters.鈥� 

CALC also confirmed the agreement in its own statement, noting that the firm had entered into a 鈥淣ovation Agreement鈥� with DAE. 

鈥淭he transaction is in the ordinary course of the Group精东影业 business and represents a significant move in its fleet portfolio that provides flexibility to the Group精东影业 strategy in response to the evolving aviation industry dynamics so as to achieve long-term sustainable growth,鈥� a spokesperson for CALC said.  

As of December 31, 2022, had 27 Boeing aircraft in its owned and managed fleet.听

Earlier in 2023, CALC completed its first 737-800NG cargo conversion project and in June 2023, the company took its first delivery of Boeing 737 MAX 8 from Boeing. 

鈥淥n a pro forma basis, this transaction will increase the percentage of new technology, fuel efficient aircraft in our owned fleet to approximately 66% from 50%. This transaction will add certainty to our growth trajectory. On a pro forma basis, this transaction will increase our fleet of owned, managed, committed, and mandated-to-manage aircraft to approximately 550 aircraft, valued at approximately US$20 billion,鈥� Tarapore explained.听

IndiGo favors Boeing 787 over Airbus A330neo in new rumored aircraft order

• Aircraft
• Airlines

byIan Molyneaux

August 14, 2023

The ACMI operations model is the popular aviation equivalent of dialing an Uber in the automotive industry. However, instead of a car, a client would have access to private jet or commercial aircraft for a designated period without large capital investment, maintenance issues, or operational hassles.  

Market forecasts conducted by aircraft manufacturers estimate demand for 43,000 new commercial passenger and freighter aircraft by 2042.   

The rising global demand for ACMI services across passenger and cargo operations is predicted to become a key factor in an expected revenue increase.  

精东影业 has compiled a list of 10 airlines and airline groups that could be considered leaders in the global market in terms of aircraft fleet size.

SmartLynx Airlines / Avia Solutions Group

1. Avia Solutions Group – 180 aircraft听听

Air Operator Certificates: “Avion Express鈥� Lithuania, “Avion Express鈥� Malta, “Air Explore鈥� Slovakia, 鈥淜lasJet鈥� Lithuania, 鈥淏BN Nordic鈥� Iceland, BBN Indonesia, 鈥淪martLynx Airlines鈥� Estonia, 鈥淪martlynx Airlines鈥� Latvia, 鈥淪martlynx Airlines鈥� Malta. AOC under development in Australia, Brazil, Thailand and Turkey.

Avia Solutions Group (ASG) is recognized as the largest ACMI and charter services provider in the world and the second-largest Irish-based aviation business behind low-cost carrier Ryanair. 

ASG operates across 68 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America. Its services include full and customized ACMI leasing, including long-term, ad-hoc wet and damp leasing as well as extensive air charter operations. 

Its subsidiary airlines, which operate both passenger and cargo aircraft worldwide, include ACMI operators SmartLynx Airlines, Avion Express, AirExplore, Bluebird Nordic, BBN Indonesia Airlines, KlasJet and Magma Aviation . It holds nine AOC in Europe and plans to announce an AOC in Indonesia by July 2023. 

Avion Express, together with its subsidiary Avion Express Malta, is a leading narrow-body ACMI and charter operator. It provides short and long-term aircraft wet leasing, as well as charter services to scheduled and charter airlines and tour operators. Avion Express operates a fleet of Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft. 

SmartLynx Airlines is recognized as a global provider of ACMI, cargo and charter services. The airline holds Latvian, Estonian, and Maltese AOC and is subsidiaries include SmartLynx Airlines Estonia and SmartLynx Airlines Malta. SmartLynx Airlines operates a fleet of Airbus A320, A321 and A330 aircraft as well as Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline expects to operate a fleet of 65 aircraft by the end of 2023. 

KlasJet provides private and business jet charter services as well as ACMI services to global clientele. The airline operates a fleet, dedicated to private charter and ACMI, consisting of Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 737-BBJ2, Challenger 850s, and Boeing 737 series aircraft. 

Bluebird Nordic provides import and export airfreight services worldwide including wet lease services to integrators like ASL/FedEx, UPS and DHL, charter brokers as well as other cargo airlines. The airline operates an all-Boeing fleet consisting of Boeing 737-300SFs, 737-400SFs, Boeing 737-BCFs. The airline also has four Boeing 777 aircraft, scheduled for passenger-to-freight conversions. 

BBN Airlines Indonesia specializes in providing air freight cargo services, allowing clients to meet capacity challenges across the Southern Hemisphere. Operating from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, its fleet consists of Boeing 737-400 and Boeing 737-800F aircraft.  

Magma Aviation commercially markets dedicated wide-body cargo aircraft capacity, contracted on an exclusive basis from third-party airlines. The airline operates a fleet of five Boeing 747-400F aircraft 

In June 2023, ASG听听Bratislava-based airline, AirExplore, as part of its worldwide business development and expansion. AirExplore operates 10 Boeing 737-800 type aircraft, comprised of eight passenger and two freighter aircraft.听

Alongside its ACMI business the group provides a range of aviation services including aircraft leasing and trading, MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul), pilot and crew training, ground handling, as well as a variety of associated services. It is supported by a global team of 11,500 highly skilled aviation professionals. 

As of June 2023, ASG operates a听听of 180 aircraft comprised of 140 passenger aircraft and 40 cargo freighters.

Carlos Yudica / Shutterstock.com

2. ASL Aviation Holdings听– 160 aircraft听

Air Operator Certificates: “ASL Airlines” Ireland, “ASL Airlines” Belgium, “ASL Airlines” United Kingdom, “ASL Airlines” France, Pionair Australia, Safair, FlySafair, K-Mile Asia.

ASL Aviation Holdings is an aviation services company providing ACMI airline operations and both scheduled and charter cargo and passenger services.听

The company operates seven airlines based in Europe, South Africa, and Asia. Its airlines are recognized under its brand ASL Airlines, which includes ASL Airlines Ireland, -Belgium, -France and -United Kingdom as well as Pionair Australia, belonging to ASL Aviation Group which is a global operator of passenger, ACMI and leasing services.  

Dating back to 1970, the company was formally established as ASL Aviation Group in June 2008.  

In 2017 the ASL holding company was renamed ASL Aviation Holdings. 

The company精东影业 network of airlines also includes joint ventures and associate airlines, namely Safair, FlySafair and K-Mile Asia. 

In 2015, the company精东影业 European airlines rebranded as ASL Airlines.  

In 2018, during a restructuring process, the company closed its ASL Airlines Spain branch and integrated ASL Airlines Switzerland into ASL Airlines Ireland. 

In 2021, the company launched its newest cargo airline, ASL Airlines United Kingdom. 

On April 2, 2023, ASL Aviation Holdings acquired Sydney-based Pionair, an Australian airline that provides charter and ACMI services.  

With its network of airlines based in Europe, Africa, and Asia, ASL Aviation Group works with global express parcel integrators and postal networks and boasts the world精东影业 largest fleet of Boeing-converted B737-800 freighters, the largest European fleet of B737 Freighters and being the first operator of the ATR 72-600 Custom-Built Freighter.  

According to its fleet the company精东影业 fleet includes 45 Boeing 737-800Fs, 37 Boeing 737-400Fs, one Boeing 737-400 combi, five Boeing 747-400Fs, three Airbus A330-300Fs, four A300-600Fs, five ATR 72-200Fs, five ATR 72-500Fs, six ATR 72-600Fs, two Boeing 737-300QCs, five Boeing 737-400, one Boeing 737-700 and 26 Boeing 737-800.听听

Adomas Daunoravicius / Shutterstock.com

3. Atlas Air Worldwide – 109 aircraft听

Air Operator Certificates: Atlas Air, Titan Aviation, Polar Air Cargo.

Atlas Air Worldwide (AAWW) is the world精东影业 largest Boeing 747 freighter operator. Headquartered in Purchase, New York, the company provides outsourced aircraft and aviation operating services. 听

AAWW精东影业 subsidiaries include cargo airline Atlas Air and Titan Aviation Holdings, and the company also has a majority shareholding in cargo airline Polar Air Cargo Worldwide.  

Combined with its subsidiaries, AAWW operates a fleet of Boeing 747, 777, 767 and 737 aircraft for domestic, regional, and international cargo operations.  

The major cargo airline was established in 1992 and commenced operations with a single 747-200 converted freighter. AAWW currently operates a fleet of more than 50 Boeing 747s also known as 鈥淨ueen of the Skies鈥�. 

The last 747 to be produced by Boeing was delivered to Atlas Air in January 2023. The delivery听marked the final of four new听Boeing 747-8 Freighters ordered by Atlas two years prior in January 2021.听听听

Karolis Kavolelis / Shutterstock.com

4. Air Transport Services Group – 91 aircraft听

Air Operator Certificates: ABX Air, Air Transport International and Omni Air International.

Air Transport Services Group (ATGS) is a US-based holding company that provides aircraft leasing, air cargo lift, passenger ACMI and charter services as well as aircraft maintenance services and airport ground services.听听

The company精东影业 ACMI and dry lease services are delivered through its three airline subsidiaries: ABX Air, Air Transport International and Omni Air International. 

ATGS精东影业 airlines operate a passenger and midsize freighter fleet of all-Boeing aircraft. This consists of Boeing 767-300s, 767-200s, 757-200s and B777-200s, ch-aviation indicates 

ATGS, which is headquartered in Wilmington, Ohio,听is also the world精东影业 largest lessor of freighter aircraft and the largest owner and operator of converted B767 freighters.听听听

Vytautas Kielaitis / Shutterstock.com

5. Air Atlanta Icelandic – 21 aircraft听

Air Operator Certificates: Air Atlanta Icelandic, Air Atlanta Europe.

Air Atlanta Icelandic and Air Atlanta Europe are sister airlines flying under the Air Atlanta brand, which provide ACMI (wet lease) and charter services worldwide for cargo and charter flights.听

Air Atlanta Icelandic was established in 1986 and holds an Icelandic Air Operator Certificate (AOC) issued by the Icelandic Transport Authority, while Air Atlanta Europe was established in 2021 in Malta and holds a Maltese AOC issued by Transport Malta Civil Aviation Directorate. 

In 2020, flew to 142 airports and 86 countries. 

According to ch-avaition data, Air Atlanta Icelandic an all-Boeing fleet of 13 Boeing 747-400Fs while Air Atlanta Europe a fleet of six Boeing 747-400s and two Boeing 777-300ERs.  

Air Atlanta operates a combined fleet of 21 ACMI dedicated aircraft. 

InsectWorld / Shutterstock.com

6. Titan Airways – 15 aircraft听听

Air Operator Certificates: Titan Airways, Titan Airways Malta.

Titan Airways is a UK-based charter airline recognized for providing ACMI leasing services, as well as passenger and cargo air charter services.听听听

First established in 1993, the airline has developed a diverse clientele and a list of unique charter flights and operations to uncommon destinations.  

In November 2019, Titan Airways Boeing 767 in Antartica, the largest passenger jet to ever land there at the time. The airline operated this flight as part of a series between Cape Town and Novolazarevskaya, a Russian Antarctic research station.  

Three years later, on November 13, 2022, the UK airline the FIFA World Cup Trophy to host nation Qatar on an A320, one week before the start of the tournament.  

Titan Airways, together with its subsidiary Titan Airways Malta, offers its services with a mixed fleet of passenger and cargo aircraft.  

The combined cargo fleet of the airlines consists of passenger-to-freighter converted A321s and A330-300s, as well as Boeing 737-400 freighters. Its passenger fleet includes Airbus A320-200s, A321-200s, A321 neo LRs, A330-200 and Boeing 757-200s and 767-200s. 

According to ch-aviation鈥痙ata,鈥� and operate a fleet of 15 aircraft. 

Thiago B Trevisan / Shutterstock.com

8. Wamos Air – 11 aircraft听

Air Operator Certificates: Wamos Air.

Wamos Air is a Spain-based鈥痗harter and wet and damp lease airline headquartered in鈥疢adrid, and a provider of long-haul air transport worldwide.鈥疐rom its main base at鈥疉dolfo Su谩rez Madrid鈥揃arajas Airport (MAD), it operates an all-Airbus A330 long-haul fleet offering services to airlines and other entities.听

It was formerly known as Pullmantur Air, which was established in 2003. By 2008 the airline operated a fleet of up to four Boeing 747-400s.  

In 2014 the airline rebranded to Wamos Air, and increased its fleet to 12 aircraft in 2019, consisting of five B747-400s and seven A330-200s. 

Fleet indicates that Wamos Air operates a modernized fleet of 11 Airbus A330s, comprised of six A330-300s and five A330-200s for various airlines around the world.  

Amezukakofun / Wikimedia Commons

9. Hi Fly – 10 aircraft听听

Air Operator Certificates: Hi Fly, Hi Fly Malta.

Hi Fly is an ACMI airline based in Lisbon, Portugal. The airline does not operate scheduled flights but is focused on medium to long-term contracts for other airlines, tour operators, governments, and private clients.听听

The company entered the ACMI market in 2006, after it was granted a Portuguese AOC and gained the necessary European Union regulations specifying minimum safety and safety-related procedures for both commercial passenger and cargo operations (EU-OPS).   

The Portuguese ACMI airline used to operate a single Airbus A330-300 jet, one of the most common wide-body aircraft types in the European region.   

In 2008, Hi Fly increased its number of planes to two A310-300s, but further development of the airline did not stop there.  

In July 2018, Hi Fly became the only ACMI operator to operate a former Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 on the second-hand market. However, the aircraft, registered as 9H-MIP, was permanently retired after its final flight (HFM380) on December 17, 2020, from Beja International Airport (BYJ) in Portugal to Toulouse Blagnac Airport (TLS). 

As of February 21, 2023, the airline精东影业 indicated that it operates a monogamous fleet of 10 Airbus-only aircraft, consisting of one 鈥疉319-100, one A321-200, two A330-200s, one A330-300 and five A340-300 aircraft.听

Markus Mainka / Wikimedia Commons

10. EuroAtlantic Airways – 6 aircraft听听

Air Operator Certificates: EuroAtlantic Airways.

EuroAtlantic Airways is a schedule and non-schedule Portuguese airline that specializes in charter services, wet leasing, and ad-hoc flights. 鈥�

First established as鈥疉ir Zarco in August 1993, the airline operated as Air Maderia until May 2000 when it became EuroAtlantic Airways. 鈥� 

The company, which is based in Lisbon, operates to the US and Canada, the Caribbean, Central and South Americas, Africa, the Middle East, the Pacific, Australia, and Oceania. 

EuroAtlantic Airways is also known for operating the last American wide-body trijet airliner, a鈥疞ockheed L-1011 TriStar, for passenger flights across various European destinations. 鈥� 

The last L-1011 TriStar aircraft was phased out in March 2010.鈥� 

The airline currently offers ACMI services via its , which is composed of three Boeing 767-300ERs and two Boeing 777-200ER passenger aircraft, alongside a single Boeing 777-200ER dedicated to cargo services only. 鈥�

The Moscow-based airline recently acquired the 10 Boeing 777-300ERs, 鈥渨hich have been under financial lease from an Irish leasing company since 2013 and 2014,鈥� Aeroflot revealed in a statement seen by Russian state-owned news agency on December 30, 2022.

鈥淎eroflot will continue to work on further implementation of transactions for the purchase of aircraft in order to maintain the current fleet of foreign-made aircraft in operation and expand the possibility of their operation. This approach also confirms the reliability of Aeroflot as a counterparty that responsibly fulfills its contractual obligations,鈥� the air carrier was cited as explaining.

Aeroflot CEO could create a new hub close to border with North Korea, China

• Airlines

byGabriele Petrauskaite

Aeroflot made a similar purchase in May 2022, buying eight Airbus A330 widebodies, which were also leased from Western companies. The planes had been stranded in Russia following international sanctions imposed on the country精东影业 aviation industry due to its invasion of Ukraine.

Although Aeroflot has not specified which lessors were involved in the recent acquisition, the air carrier confirmed in its statement that the transaction was completed following 鈥渁ll the required permits from Russian and foreign regulators鈥�.

Aeroflot Group signs purchase agreement for 339 Russian-built aircraft

• Airlines

byGabriele Petrauskaite

However, it remains to be seen whether by selling the aircraft to the major Russian airline the lessors have violated the European Union’s restrictive measures in view of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Aeroflot top executive sentenced to 7 years imprisonment in major fraud case

• Civil Aviation

byGabriele Petrauskaite

According to Planespotters.com , Aeroflot currently operates a mixed fleet consisting of 173 planes as of January 3, 2023. The airline has 22 Boeing 777-300ERs, the majority of which are marked as leased from Russian state-owned lessors VEB Leasing and GTLK.