SmartLynx Airlines
An airline based in Latvia
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
SmartLynx Airlines, SIA was a Latvian airline specializing in ACMI services, charter flying and air cargo. ACMI—aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance—was the company’s core business model: rather than selling most seats directly under its own schedule, SmartLynx supplied aircraft and operating crews to airlines that needed temporary or supplemental capacity. It also performed holiday-season flying, ad-hoc passenger charters and freight operations. The company began operating in 1993 under the name LatCharter, using a leased Tupolev Tu-134B. Its fleet changed materially as its business developed. Tupolev aircraft were replaced by larger Yakovlev Yak-42s in 2001, and the first Airbus A320-200 entered service in 2003. The move toward Airbus narrow-body aircraft supported the company’s later specialization in European charter and wet-lease operations. In 2006, Loftleiðir, the aircraft-leasing arm of Icelandair Group, acquired a majority stake and subsequently took full ownership. The company expanded in 2007 with additional A320s and Boeing 767-300 aircraft, which were placed with airlines in different markets. In 2008, LatCharter adopted the SmartLynx Airlines name. ACMI became its principal commercial focus, and the airline supplied capacity to operators including Air Malta, SBA Airlines, Finnair and Condor. In 2012, a management buyout separated SmartLynx from Icelandair ownership and was accompanied by the creation of SmartLynx Airlines Estonia, a subsidiary serving Estonian tour operators. The group later added SmartLynx Airlines Malta in 2019. That same year, SmartLynx became part of Avia Solutions Group, an aviation-services group with interests across aircraft operations, maintenance, training and related businesses. The airline modernized its operating processes in 2014 by moving to a paperless cockpit and adopting Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro as an electronic flight-bag application. It also expanded beyond passenger wet leasing. In 2020, SmartLynx entered air-cargo transportation, and in 2021 it partnered with DHL to operate two Airbus A321-200 freighters through SmartLynx Malta. The company subsequently developed supporting capabilities, including the SmartLynx Technik line-maintenance center and the SmartLynx Training Centre, an approved training organization for Airbus A320-family and Boeing 737 MAX 8 type-rating courses. During 2021 and 2022, the business announced or undertook several fleet and network initiatives. These included leasing aircraft to Air Peace, planning a Vilnius office, agreeing with SMBC Aviation Capital to lease Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, introducing Airbus A330-300 freighter plans with Air Transport Services Group, and placing aircraft with easyJet. SmartLynx also announced a program to add Airbus A321 converted freighters, targeting a substantially larger freighter fleet. The company marked its thirtieth anniversary in 2022. The Latvian airline should be distinguished from its Estonian and Maltese sister companies and from other businesses using the SmartLynx name. According to the supplied reference material, Avia Solutions Group sold the Latvian airline in October 2025 while the Malta and Estonia subsidiaries were excluded from the transaction and were expected to be consolidated under another identity. SmartLynx Airlines then announced on 24 November 2025 that it would cease operations immediately because of financial difficulties. On that basis, the Latvian airline is classified here as defunct, while the status of related subsidiaries is separate.
History
SmartLynx Airlines began operations in Latvia in 1993 as LatCharter, initially flying a leased Tupolev Tu-134B. Its first major fleet transition came in 2001, when Yakovlev Yak-42 aircraft replaced the Tupolev fleet. In 2003, the airline introduced its first Airbus A320-200, establishing the aircraft family that would become central to its passenger charter and ACMI activities. Loftleiðir, the aircraft-leasing division of Icelandair Group, acquired a 55 percent stake in 2006 and later became the company’s sole owner. The airline expanded in 2007 with five additional Airbus A320-200s and two Boeing 767-300s. Rather than concentrating on a single scheduled network, it placed aircraft with carriers around the world under wet-lease arrangements. In 2008, LatCharter changed its name to SmartLynx Airlines, reflecting its emerging identity as an international aircraft-capacity provider. ACMI services became the company’s main commercial specialization. SmartLynx supplied aircraft and crews to airlines including Air Malta, SBA Airlines, Finnair and Condor, while continuing to perform holiday and ad-hoc charter work. In 2012, a management buyout acquired the business from Icelandair. The transaction also led to the establishment of SmartLynx Airlines Estonia, which focused on serving Estonian tour operators. In 2014, SmartLynx adopted a paperless cockpit model using Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro as its electronic flight-bag application. The airline changed ownership again in 2016 when it was acquired by a Netherlands-based investment fund. Zygimantas Surintas became chief executive in June of that year. SmartLynx expanded its corporate footprint in 2019 by establishing SmartLynx Airlines Malta and joining Avia Solutions Group. The Latvian company operated alongside related subsidiaries, but the subsidiaries were separate legal and operating entities. From 2020, SmartLynx diversified into cargo. A February 2021 agreement with DHL covered the operation of two SmartLynx Malta Airbus A321-200 aircraft carrying freight for the Deutsche Post subsidiary. In October 2021, SmartLynx announced SmartLynx Technik, an in-house line-maintenance operation. It also leased Airbus A320 aircraft to Air Peace and announced plans for a Lithuanian office in Vilnius. The company’s 2022 development plans reflected both passenger and cargo ambitions. SmartLynx agreed with SMBC Aviation Capital to lease two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, announced Airbus A330-300 freighter plans with Air Transport Services Group, and partnered with easyJet on aircraft leasing. It also announced four Airbus A321 freighters connected to a conversion program with Aero Capital Solutions, with an intended fleet target of 20 A321F aircraft by the end of 2023. SmartLynx celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2022. The company also operated a training center recognized as an approved training organization in the Baltic States. The center provided type-rating courses for Airbus A320-family aircraft and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, complementing the group’s maintenance and operational services. On 28 February 2018, a SmartLynx Airbus A320-214 was involved in an accident during a touch-and-go training exercise at Tallinn Airport. The aircraft struck the runway, subsequently lost engine power and made an emergency landing approximately 150 metres from the runway. All tires were damaged, and the instructor and one student sustained mild injuries. The event was an operational safety incident rather than a reported scandal. The supplied reference material states that Avia Solutions Group sold SmartLynx Airlines to a Dutch investment fund in October 2025, excluding the Malta and Estonia subsidiaries from the transaction. On 24 November 2025, SmartLynx announced an immediate cessation of operations because of financial difficulties. The Latvian airline is therefore treated as defunct in this dossier. A related Avia Solutions Group subsidiary, BBN Airlines Thailand, reportedly began ACMI operations under its own identity in December 2025 and is not the same entity as the Latvian SmartLynx airline.
- 2025
Operations cease
[1]The Latvian airline announced an immediate end to operations on 24 November because of financial difficulties.
- 2022
Thirtieth anniversary and fleet expansion plans
[1]SmartLynx marked 30 years and announced Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A330 and A321 freighter initiatives.
- 2021
DHL freight partnership
[1]The company agreed to operate two A321 aircraft through SmartLynx Malta for DHL freight services.
- 2020
Cargo expansion
[1]SmartLynx expanded into air-cargo transportation.
- 2019
Malta subsidiary and Avia Solutions Group ownership
[1]SmartLynx Airlines Malta was established and the company joined Avia Solutions Group.
- 2014
Paperless cockpit introduced
[1]SmartLynx adopted Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro as an electronic flight-bag platform.
- 2012
Management buyout and Estonian subsidiary
[1]A management buyout acquired the airline from Icelandair, and SmartLynx Airlines Estonia was established.
- 2008
LatCharter becomes SmartLynx Airlines
[1]The company adopted the SmartLynx Airlines name.
- 2006
Loftleiðir acquires majority ownership
[1]Loftleiðir acquired a 55 percent stake and later took full ownership.
- 2003
First Airbus A320 enters service
[1]The first Airbus A320-200 joined the fleet.
Products and positioning
A specialist aviation capacity provider focused on ACMI and wet-lease operations, supplemented by charter, cargo, maintenance and training services.
Airline capacity services · 1993
ACMI and wet-lease operations
SmartLynx’s principal offering supplied aircraft, crews, maintenance and insurance to other airlines. This model allowed partner carriers to add seasonal, short-term or replacement capacity without operating the aircraft themselves. The company used Airbus narrow-body aircraft extensively and worked for carriers in multiple regions.
Charter airline services · 1993
Passenger charter services
The airline operated holiday charters and ad-hoc passenger flights, including services arranged for tour operators and other commercial partners. These flights complemented its wet-lease contracts and enabled the company to deploy aircraft during periods of seasonal travel demand.
Air freight · 2020
Air cargo operations
Beginning in 2020, SmartLynx expanded into cargo transportation. Its cargo strategy included Airbus A321 freighters and plans involving Airbus A330-300 freighters. The DHL partnership used SmartLynx Malta aircraft to transport freight and goods for DHL.
Aircraft maintenance · 2021
SmartLynx Technik
Announced in 2021, SmartLynx Technik was an in-house line-maintenance center intended to support the airline’s aircraft and operational network. It represented an effort to build supporting technical capabilities alongside the core ACMI business.
Aviation training
SmartLynx Training Centre
The training center was described as an approved training organization in the Baltic States. It provided type-rating courses for Airbus A320-family aircraft and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, supporting pilot qualification within the group’s operating ecosystem.
Brand decisions
2025
Cease Latvian airline operationsStrategyBackground
The airline reported financial difficulties after a reported ownership change.
Action taken
SmartLynx Airlines announced that it would cease operations immediately on 24 November 2025.
Aftermath
The Latvian carrier became defunct, while the Malta and Estonia subsidiaries were treated separately.
2022
Develop an Airbus A321 freighter fleetProduct launchBackground
SmartLynx was expanding its cargo business and seeking additional freighter capacity.
Action taken
The company announced four Airbus A321 freighters through a conversion partnership with Aero Capital Solutions and stated an ambition to reach 20 A321F aircraft by the end of 2023.
Aftermath
The announcement positioned the A321F as a central element of SmartLynx’s planned cargo expansion.
2020
Enter air cargoStrategyBackground
SmartLynx had historically focused on passenger ACMI, charter and wet-lease services.
Action taken
The airline expanded into air-cargo transportation and began developing freighter capabilities.
Aftermath
The move led to cargo partnerships and later Airbus A321 and A330 freighter plans.
Recent events
- 2025
SmartLynx Airlines ceases operations[1]
Bankruptcy
SmartLynx announced on 24 November 2025 that it would stop operating immediately, citing financial difficulties.
- 2022
SmartLynx orders Boeing 737 MAX 8 capacity[1]
Product generation
SmartLynx agreed with SMBC Aviation Capital to lease its first two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
- 2022
SmartLynx plans Airbus A330 freighter operations[1]
Product launch
The airline announced plans to introduce Airbus A330-300 freighters through an agreement with Air Transport Services Group.
- 2022
SmartLynx supplies aircraft to easyJet[1]
Other
SmartLynx entered a partnership involving the lease of several aircraft to easyJet.
- 2022
SmartLynx announces Airbus A321 freighter expansion[1]
Product launch
The company announced four Airbus A321 freighters through a conversion program with Aero Capital Solutions and outlined a target of 20 A321 freighters by the end of 2023.
- 2021
SmartLynx and DHL announce freight partnership[1]
Other
SmartLynx and DHL agreed for two SmartLynx Malta Airbus A321 aircraft to transport freight and goods for DHL.
- 2021
SmartLynx announces SmartLynx Technik[1]
Other
The company announced an in-house line-maintenance center intended to support its growing aircraft operation.
- 2021
SmartLynx leases aircraft to Air Peace[1]
Other
SmartLynx leased several Airbus A320 aircraft to Nigerian airline Air Peace.
- 2021
SmartLynx announces a Vilnius office[1]
Other
The company announced plans to open an office in Vilnius, Lithuania.
- 2020
SmartLynx expands into air cargo[1]
Other
The airline broadened its operations from passenger ACMI and charter work into air-cargo transportation.
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