Thai SmartLynx scores AOC from CAAT

Thai SmartLynx has received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The airline is an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) specialist airline and a partner of Avia Solutions Group. With the AOC Thai SmartLynx becomes the first Thai-based ACMI operator, offering fleet capacity solutions to meet seasonal and operational needs across Thailand and the wider region. Thai SmartLynx is also the first airline in Thailand to obtain an AOC under CAAT’s new Thailand Civil Aviation Regulations on Air Operations (TCAR OPS) framework. Modelled after European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards, TCAR OPS governs key areas such as safety procedures, crew requirements, and operational manuals, designed to align Thailand’s aviation standards with international best practices. Thai SmartLynx will commence operations with an Airbus A320 from its new operations office at Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). The airline plans to progressively expand its fleet by adding 15 to 20 aircraft over the next three to four years to support both Thai and regional carriers. “Thai SmartLynx is proud to be a pioneer in bringing flexible capacity solutions to Thailand’s aviation sector” said Martynas Grigas, Chairman of Thai SmartLynx. “Our ACMI model offers airlines a fully operational capacity solution for our partners. This enables carriers to scale operations during peak demand periods or test new routes without major investment or long-term commitments.” Through ACMI partnerships, airlines can add temporary capacity or optimise their networks while minimising capital expenditure. The ACMI (wet lease) model enables airlines to increase overall profitability by 2-3% with the right strategy in place. Ascend Airways Malaysia obtains full AOC and Air Service Permit Ascend Airways Malaysia, a Malaysia-based airline and part of the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider, Avia Solutions Group, has officially received its AOC and ASP licenses. It will begin operations this November. The airline was first granted its Conditional Air Service Permit (CASP) in 2024. Throughout this year, it worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to obtain its Air Operator Certificate (AOC). With this part of the process having been successfully completed, Ascend Airways Malaysia is able to start operations with its very first aircraft Boeing 737-800SF. The Kuala Lumpur-based ACMI and charter airline will be offering both passenger and cargo operations in Malaysia and across the broader Southeast Asia region. Subject to additional regulatory approvals, passenger flights are scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2026, alongside the further expansion of Ascend Airways Malaysia’s fleet. According to Germal Singh Khera, CEO of Ascend Airways Malaysia, the airline will provide flexible ACMI solutions to support Malaysia’s aviation expansion, with passenger traffic expected to grow between 8.4% and 15.6% year-on-year in 2025, reaching 105.8–112.9 million passengers. “Malaysia is in an essential strategic position as a logistics and aviation hub that connects Southeast Asia, China, and India. We are very grateful for the support we received from the Ministry of Transport, CAAM, MAVCOM, and other local authorities. This cooperation is helping the aviation industry in Malaysia to develop and realise its full potential,” he says. Khera also expressed his hope that ACMI will soon become a vital part of the Asia-Pacific logistics ecosystem, as this model enables airlines to optimize their revenue during peak season as well as scale their operations more efficiently and successfully navigate operational challenges. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]