Latvian wet-lease specialist SmartLynx has secured authorisation to conduct operations from Australia, where is intends initially to use Airbus A330s.
The company says it has received an Australian foreign air transport operator certificate.
SmartLynx says operating flights to Australia has been “integral” to its strategic effort to extend its network to new markets.
It says it met all the operational requirements, including supplying airworthiness and maintenance information for the A330s, to secure the certificate.
“Foreign air operator certification in Australia strengthens our competitive advantage to offer wet-lease services to international airlines and tour operators,” says SmartLynx chief Zygimantas Surintas.
SmartLynx aims to obtain similar certification for single-aisle aircraft including Airbus A320-family jets and Boeing 737s.
It is expanding its fleet and expects to have 65 aircraft by the end of this year including six A330-300s, alongside 37 A320s and A321s, 13 A321 freighters, and nine 737 Max twinjets.
