Avia Solutions Group

Avia Solutions Group is a global aerospace business group with 76 subsidiaries worldwide.[2] Avia Solutions Group is headquartered in Limassol (Cyprus)[3] and employs a majority of its employees in Vilnius (Lithuania).[4] The Group also has a representative office in Moscow (Russia).[5]

Avia Solutions Group

Type	Private company
ISIN	LT0000128381
Industry	Aviation, tourism
Founded	2010[1]
Headquarters	Limassol, Cyprus
Key people	Gediminas Žiemelis (Chairman of the Board) Vygaudas Usackas (Member of the Board) Zilvinas Lapinskas (Member of the Board) Linas Dovydenas (Member of the Board) Jonas Janukėnas (CEO and Member of the Board)
Services	See services listing
Number of employees	7000+ (2019)
Divisions	AeroTime Hub AeroTime Recruitment Air Convention AviaAM Leasing Avion Express Aviator BAA Training BGS BGS Rail Bluebird Nordic Busnex Chapman Freeborn Chapman Freeborn OBC Enginestands.com Flash Line Maintenance FL ARI FL Technics FL Technics Indonesia Helisota Intradco Global Jet Maintenance Solutions KidyTour KlasJet Locatory.com Loop Hotel Magma Aviation MOMook Online Training Sensus Aero Sky Knights SmartLynx Storm Aviation Wings 24
Website	www.aviasg.com

History

Prehistory

In 2005, the history of Avia Solutions Group began when Lithuanian Airlines, the national airlines of Lithuania, was privatized. LAL investicijų valdymas acquired 100% of the airline shares for 7.53 million Euro. The airline was re-branded and several companies were spun – out, including Baltic Ground Services (ground handling),[6] FL Technics (aviation maintenance, repair, and operations), and Bilietų Pardavimo Centras (travel agency). In 2005, FL Technics was founded.[7] The company opened its first hangar at Vilnius International Airport. In November 2006, Baltic Aviation Academy (now known as BAA Training) was founded. The company trains FTO (Flight Training Organization) and TRTO (Type Rating Training Organization) specialists.[8] In 2007, Jet MS was founded under the name FL Technics Jets.[9] In 2007, Aviation Asset Management was founded (now known as AviaAM Leasing[10]).[11] In 2008, a charter airline called Small Planet Airlines was founded.[12]

Foundation

The history of Avia Solutions Group began in 2005 when Lithuanian Airlines, the national airlines of Lithuania, was privatized. LAL investicijų valdymas[13] acquired 100% of the airline shares for 7.53 million Euro. The airline was re-branded as FlyLAL and several companies were spun – out, including Baltic Ground Services[14] (ground handling), FL Technics (aviation maintenance, repair, and operations), and Bilietų Pardavimo Centras (travel agency). In 2008 FlyLAL filed a lawsuit against Latvian carrier airBaltic, accusing airline of price dumping. In 2009 FlyLAL was forced to declare bankruptcy with around 29 million euros in debts after the government refused to bail the company out and a potential buyout deal fell through.[15] In 2014 Court of Justice of the European Union allowed to arrest the property of airBaltic and Riga International Airport in order to ensure main proceedings, seeking legal redress for damage resulting from alleged infringements of European Union competition law in the flyLAL lawsuit against airBlatic for price dumping.[16]

Expansion

In the beginning, Avia Solutions Group covered three aviation business areas, including ground handling (Baltic Ground Services), aircraft maintenance (FL Technics) and travel services (Bilietu Pardavimo Centras).

In December 2005 Bilietų Pardavimo Centras became a member of IATA and in November 2006 changed its name into BPC Travel (stands for Best Price for Consumers Travel) to better reflect its business philosophy. BPC Travel left Avia Solutions Group in 2010.[17]

In July 2006, Baltic Ground Services was sold to UAB Finansų spektro investicija.[18] The company was bought back by Avia Solutions Group from investment company Invalda in November 2008.[6] The same year Baltic Ground Services became first company in Europe and tenth in world[19] to receive IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO)[20] certificate. In January 2015, Baltic Ground Services joined IATA’s Ground Handling Council (IGHC).[21]

In November 2006, Baltic Aviation Academy (originally flyLAL Training) was established based on the training center of FlyLAL. Company provides FTO (Flight Training Organization) and TRTO (Type Rating Training Organization) type rating for 10+ aircraft types and operates full flight simulators for Airbus A320[22] and other aircraft.

In 2007, the group established Aviation Asset Management (now AviaAM Leasing). In June 2008, it signed its first third-party lease contract with Kazakh Scat Air.[23] AviaAM leasing left the group in 2010. In 2013 AviaAM Leasing launched its IPO and now is listed on WSE.[24]

In 2008 Avia Solutions Group separated its charter flights activities from FlyLAL and established a charter airline. In July 2010, it underwent a major re-branding and became Small Planet Airlines.[25] In March, 2013 Avia Solutions Group sold 99.5 per cent of Small Planet Airlines UAB (Lithuania) and Small Planet Airlines Sp. z.o.o. (Poland) to an investment group led by the carrier's management team.[26]

In 2010 FL Technics achieved Boeing 737 NG base maintenance certificate.[27] In October 2011 Boeing selected FL Technics as its GoldCare partner.[28] In 2014 FL Technics invested $4 million in new high-tech MRO hangar in Kaunas.[29] In 2014 company launched Online Training™,[30] a remote EASA Part-147-compliant training program, based on visually enhanced materials available online.

In 2010 Avia Solutions Group established an IT company, which developed its own platform to trade aircraft inventory and maintenance services. In 2014 Locatory.com launched Amber A.I., artificial intelligence tool that converts e-mail parts inquiries into searches.[31]

In 2011 Avia Solutions Group launched AviationCV.com,[32] a global provider of aviation jobs specialists resourcing solutions for airlines, MRO providers and other industry companies.

In 2011 Avia Solutions Group was listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE).[33]

In 2011 Groups’ MRO company FL Technics acquired 100% of UK based Line maintenance provider Storm Aviation.[34]

In 2013 Avia Solutions Group acquired Helisota,[35] an international provider of MRO services for rotorcraft aviation that provides services for Mi and Robinson aircraft.

In 2013 Avia Solutions Group launched its own private jet charter carrier KlasJet.[36] The carrier is based in Vilnius, Lithuania and operates its flights in Europe, CIS and other regions.

In 2014 the Group launched a business aviation charter air carrier KlasJet. Same year, BAA Training launched an aviation training IT software developer MOMook.[37]

In 2015 Avia Solutions Group launched a Lithuanian tour operator Kidy Tour,[38] as well as a UAV-based infrastructure inspections provider Laserpas.[39] The company sold its interest to the management of Laserpas in August 2018.[40]

In 2016 the Group-controlled Ramport Aero opened Zhukovsky International Airport[41] (IATA:ZIA) near Moscow, Russia. The group divested of Ramport Aero in October 2018.[42]

Later that year, Avia Solutions Group launched a competence development center Emblick,[43] acquired Estonian tour operator GoAdventure EE.[44] The Group’s subsidiary in Indonesia also opened a new MRO center in Jakarta.[45]

In 2018, daughter company of Avia Solutions Group, BAA Training has announced the establishment of a new company in Vietnam—BAA Training Vietnam.[46]

In August, 2018, FL Technics Indonesia received Part-145 certificate from the Federal Aviation Authority [Applewebdata://1DA3293C-1454-47AF-A607-369E6D4A728A#msocom 1].[47]

In October, 2018 Avia Solutions Group sold shares of Ramport Aero.[48]

In October, 2018, FL Technics established a joint venture in Harbin (PR of China) with Aircraft Recycling International Limited to provide MRO services.[49]

In October, 2018, BAA Training installed 2 new full flight simulators in Vilnius (Lithuania) and opened a training base in Lleida-Alguaire International Airport (Spain).[50] BAA Training signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Henan Civil Aviation Development and Investment Company (HNCA) to establish Joint Venture aviation training company in Henan, China[51]

In November 20, 2018 Avia Solutions Group was delisted from the Warsaw Stock Exchange.[52]

Awards

In 2011 Avia Solutions Group was recognized as one of the best debutants on WSE.[53] In 2011 Avia Solutions Group received "Golden Chariot",[54] public award for the outstanding performance in international transport industry in Russia.[55]

In 2012 Linas Dovydenas, CEO at Avia Solutions Group was awarded as the CEO of the year by the readers of business news website and newspaper “Verslo Zinios”.[56]

In 2012 Gediminas Ziemelis, Chairman of Avia Solutions Group, was selected amongst the top 40 most talented young leaders in the aviation industry by Aviation Week & Space Technology.[57]

In 2014 Gediminas Ziemelis, the Chairman of the Board of Avia Solutions Group, Anatolij Legenzov, CEO of Helisota and Tomas Vaisvila, General Director of Ramport Aero, have been included in the Aviation Weeks' Top 40 young leaders under 40 list. Gediminas Ziemelis became only person to be included two times in a row with his first repeat appearance in 2012.[58]

In June 2016, Avia Solutions Group received a National Public Champion award and was named amongst 10 best European businesses in the RSM Entrepreneur of the Year category at the European Business Awards. Same year, Ramport Aero received Best investment project award for successful launch of Zhukovsky International Airport.[59]

Avia Solutions Group was named Exporter of the year for 2018 by the Lithuanian Industrialist Confederation [Applewebdata://92A48124-7A7E-454E-9D1B-A7F387F7458F#msocom 1].[60]

Corporate governance

Board

The management board currently has five members. Gediminas Ziemelis, Chairman of the Board, and 4 members – Jonas Janukenas, Chief Executive Officer at Avia Solutions Group, Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics, Linas Dovydenas, Member of the Board at Avia Solutions Group and Vygaudas Usackas, Member of the Board at Avia Solutions Group.[61]

Shareholders

As of June 2019, the Group’s shares are distributed in the following proportions.[62]

Shareholder	No of shares	% Share
Vertas Management AB (UBO Mr Gediminas Ziemelis)	61,500	0,08
Vertas Aircraft Leasing Limited (UBO Mr Gediminas Ziemelis)	17,078,622	21,96
Vertas Cyprus LTD (UBO Mr Gedminas Ziemelis)	2,780,272	3,57
FZE Procyone (UBO Gediminas Ziemielis)	39,179,969	50,37
Indeco: Investment and Development UAB (UBO Mr Vaidas Barakauskas)	872,663	1,12
Mesotania Holdings Ltd. (UBO Mr Vaidas Barakauskas)	11,416,335	14,68
Aurimas Sanikovas	529,210	0,68
Zilvinas Lapinskas	312,480	0,40
Linas Dovydenas	322,478	0,41
Jonas Janukenas	174,535	0,22
Other Group Executives	1,898,585	2,44
Other Shareholders	3,151,128	4,05
Total number of shares	77,777,777	100%

Structure

Current companies

Avia Solutions Group has offices in Lithuania, the USA, the UK, Poland, Serbia, Estonia, Moscow, Thailand and Indonesia. As of February, 2020, Avia Solutions Group controls the following companies:[63]

• FL Technics, FL Technics Indonesia, FL ARI, Flash Line Maintenance Storm Aviation Ltd, Enginestands.com, Jet MS, Helisota – providers of maintenance and repair of commercial and business aviation airplanes, as well as helicopters
• BAA Training, BGS Training, FL Technics Online Training, AeroTime Recruitment – aviation training provider
• Avia Solutions Group Consulting – aviation consulting services
• AviaAM Leasing – aircraft leasing and trading service provider
• Chapman Freeborn, Intradco Global – charter broker services provider
• Chapman Freeborn OBC – time critical logistics provider
• Avion Express, SmartLynx Airlines – ACMI lease service providers
• BGS, Aviator – ground handling and fueling provider
• BGS Rail – railway Freight Transport
• Sky Knights, Wings24 – flight ops and dispatcher services providers
• Busnex – public transportation solutions provider
• Locatory.com, Sensus Aero, MOMook – aviation IT solutions developers
• KlasJet – business aviation charter air carrier and business jet manager
• AeroTime Hub – digital hub for aviation media
• AIR Convention – aviation event organizer
• Magma Aviation, Bluebird Nordic – airfreight service providers.
• Kidy Tour – tour operator
• Loop Hotel – hotel operator

Previous companies

Companies that were part of Avia Solutions Group:

• FlyLaL – national airline of Lithuania (bankrupt)
• BPC Travel – travel agency (spun out)
• UAB Passenger Terminal – construction company to build a new passenger terminal at Vilnius Airport (abandoned)[64]
• Small Planet Airlines – charter airline (sold)
• Laserpas – provider of aerial infrastructure inspections by UAVs (sold)

References

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2. Freeborn, Chapman (2019-10-22). "Avia Solutions Group acquires Chapman Freeborn". FreightComms. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
3. "News for Airlines, Airports and the Aviation Industry | CAPA". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
4. Sergijenko, Dina. "Naujoje "Avia Solutions Group" būstinėje Vilniuje – 1.000 darbo vietų". vz.lt (in Lithuanian). Retrieved 2019-11-12.
5. "CAPA - Centre for Aviation". centreforaviation.com. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
6. "Competition Council of the Republic of Lithuania". web.archive.org. 2015-04-02. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
7. Rekvizitai.lt. "FL Technics". Rekvizitai.lt. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
8. Rekvizitai.lt. "BAA Training". Rekvizitai.lt. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
9. Rekvizitai.lt. "Jet Maintenance Solutions". Rekvizitai.lt. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
10. ""Aviation Asset Management" planuoja plėtrą ir keičia pavadinimą". DELFI. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
11. ""Aviation assets management" perka lėktuvus už 83 mln. litų". tv3.lt. Retrieved 2019-11-14.
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13. Privatisation of state-owned enterprises in Lithuania
14. The competition council authorised the concentration deal by FlyLAL Group services subject to conditions Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
15. FlyLAL bankrupt, minister demands investigation
16. flyLAL-Lithuanian Airlines AS, in liquidation
17. "Private Jet Charter". Wednesday, 11 January 2017
18. Baltic Ground Services was sold to UAB Finansų spektro investicija
19. ISAGO Begins to Take Hold
20. ISAGO registry
21. Baltic Ground Services Joins IATA’s Ground Handling Council
22. Baltic Aviation Academy launches A320 simulator
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26. Avia sells Small Planet Airlines to airline's management Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
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28. FL Technics becomes Boeing GoldCare partner
29. New FL Technics’ MRO centre in Kaunas welcomes first clients
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31. Locatory.com Converts E-Mail Parts Inquiries Into Searches
32. "Avia Solutions Group launches AviationCV". Archived from the original on 2018-07-23. Retrieved 2015-03-23.
33. "Avia Solutions Group Debuts on Warsaw Stock Exchange". Retrieved 2018-11-22.
34. "FL Technics, part of Avia Solutions Group, to Acquire Storm Aviation Ltd., a UK Based Line Maintenance Provider". www.AviationPros.com. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
35. FL Technics parent branches out into helicopter MRO
36. New Air Charter Firm KlasJet Starts Operations
37. BAA Training launched an aviation training IT software developer MOMook
38. Avia Solutions Group launched a Lithuanian tour operator Kidy Tour
39. Avia Solutions Group launched a UAV-based infrastructure inspections provider Laserpas
40. "Notice on sale of UAB "Laserpas" shares Avia Solutions Group".
41. Ramport Aero opened Zhukovsky International Airport
42. курс, The Baltic Course-Балтийский. "Lithuania's Avia Solutions Group exits Moscow's Zhukovsky Airport". The Baltic Course | Baltic States news & analytics. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
43. Avia Solutions Group launched a competence development center Emblick
44. Avia Solutions Group acquired Estonian tour operator GoAdventure EE
45. The Group’s subsidiary in Indonesia opened a new MRO center in Jakarta.
46. "BAA Training establishes pilot training facility in Ho Chi Minh City". Retrieved 2018-06-11.
47. Gubisch, Michael (2018-08-20). "FL Technics' Indonesian hangar gains FAA approval". Flightglobal.com. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
48. ES (2018-12-12). "Moscow Zhukovsky airport new shareholder revealed". Russian Aviation Insider. Retrieved 2019-06-04.
49. "CALC Sets Up A New Chinese MRO JV". MRO Network. 2018-10-15. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
50. "Catalunya: Lleida-Alguaire se proyecta como el aeropuerto industrial". La Vanguardia. 2018-10-30. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
51. "BAA Training and Chinese HNCA to Open Pilot Training Centre". www.aerotime.aero. Retrieved 2019-06-09.
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54. Avia Solutions Group received "Golden Chariot"
55. Avia Solutions Group recognised as the best international transport company in Russia
56. Linas Dovydenas, CEO at Avia Solutions Group was awarded as the CEO of the year
57. Aviation Week & Space Technology Presents the Rising Stars of Aerospace in "Top 40 Under Forty" Special Issue
58. Gediminas Ziemelis
59. Avia Solutions Group received a National Public Champion award
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63. Avia Solutions Group – Controlled companies
64. Apie UAB „Passenger Terminal“