Avion Express set to launch US cargo services

Avion Express Malta has obtained Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification to conduct passenger and cargo flights to and from the US.

The Maltese company will now be able to make wet-lease agreements with companies throughout North America.

Avion Express Malta, operating Airbus A320 aircraft, is a sister company of Avion Express, the narrow-body ACMI operator.

Avion Express is part of Avia Solutions Group, parent company of charter broker Chapman Freeborn and cargo airline Bluebird Nordic.

Established in May 2019, Avion Express Malta provides ACMI and charter services to regular and charter airlines.

Responding quickly to an abruptly changed situation in the market, Avion Express reconfigured its passenger aircraft as makeshift freighters to meet soaring demand for cargo capacity.

Avion Express Malta had to pass the various checks and procedures of the FAA, the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The whole approval process took more than six months.

Darius Kajokas, chief executive of Avion Express Malta, said: “Obtaining a Part 129 Ops Specs approval from the FAA serves as one of the most important achievements for Avion Express Malta. In November 2019 the company landed a Foreign Air Carrier Certificate from Transport Canada. We are discussing business opportunities in both of these markets with our potential clients.”

With the first signs of the aviation industry recovery turning up, as some of the travel bans are being relaxed, borders reopened and flights resumed, Avion Express Malta is ready to help airlines and businesses to cover their air transport capacity needs.