Australian-based passenger airline, Skytrans, has received its air operator certificate (AOC) to begin operations with narrow-body aircraft in the region, and has welcomed the first Airbus A319 to its fleet.

Gytis Gumuliauskas, managing director at Skytrans, said: “The AOC operations specification approval to operate the Airbus A319 is a significant achievement for Skytrans. It will expand our fleet capabilities and provide clients with the opportunity to deliver profit accelerating initiatives through the utilisation of additional fleet capacity at crucial peak season periods.”

The Airbus A319 will be utilised to deliver ACMI and charter operations in Australia as well as in the Asia-Pacific region. Its integration will allow Skytrans to enter the ACMI market, improving its operational capability with short-medium haul aircraft.

Total domestic air passenger travel in Australia is predicted to grow by around 2.6 per cent a year, surpassing 237 million passengers by 2050. The addition of the Airbus A310 to the fleet aims to help relieve the airline, giving regional carriers more options to test new routes, operate more flights, or allow replacements of aircraft due for maintenance with minimal or no disruptions.

As part of the Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance provider (ACMI), Skytrans will also be able to use the ACMI model to deal with the increased demand during high seasons.

Gumuliauskas added: “The introduction of the new aircraft type is a major step forward and marks a new era of ACMI services in Australia.”