Avia Solutions Group
Publicly traded company | |
Industry | Aviation |
Founded | 2010[1] |
Headquarters | Vilnius, Lithuania |
Key people |
Gediminas Žiemelis (Chairman of the Board) Aurimas Sanikovas (Board member) Zilvinas Lapinskas (Board member) Daumantas Lapinskas (Board member) Anatolij Legenzov (Board member) |
Services | See services listing |
Number of employees | 1600 (2015)[2] |
Divisions |
Baltic Aviation Academy FL Technics Jet Maintenance Solutions FL Technics Training Baltic Ground Services Locatory.com AviationCV.com |
Website | Aviasg.com |
Avia Solutions Group is an international holding group that integrates companies providing ground handling, aviation fuel transportation and fuelling services, pilot and crew training, airport management, MRO services, supply chain solutions & aviation staff leasing. Avia Solutions Group is based in Vilnius, Lithuania. Avia Solutions Group was listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE) in March 2011 and became the first foreign company to be listed on the exchange that year.[3] Shareholders of the company include ING Open Pension Fund, Harberin Enterprises, ZIA Valda and others.
History
Foundation
The history of Avia Solutions Group began in 2005 when Lithuanian Airlines, the national airlines of Lithuania, was privatized. LAL investicijų valdymas[4] 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[5] (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.[6] 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.[7]
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 July 2006, Baltic Ground Services was sold to UAB Finansų spektro investicija.[8] 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[9] to receive IATA Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO)[10] certificate. In January 2015, Baltic Ground Services joined IATA’s Ground Handling Council (IGHC).[11]
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.
In 2010 FL Technics achieved Boeing 737 NG base maintenance certificate.[12] In October 2011 Boeing selected FL Technics as its GoldCare partner.[13] In 2014 FL Technics invested $4 million in new high-tech MRO hangar in Kaunas.[14] In 2014 company launched Online Training™,[15] a remote EASA Part-147-compliant training program, based on visually enhanced materials available online.
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[16] 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.[17] AviaAM leasing left the group in 2010. In 2013 AviaAM Leasing launched its IPO and now is listed on WSE.[18]
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.[19] 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.[20]
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.[21]
In 2011 Avia Solutions Group launched AviationCV.com,[22] a global provider of aviation jobs specialists resourcing solutions for airlines, MRO providers and other industry companies.
In 2013 Avia Solutions Group acquired Helisota,[23] 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.[24] The carrier is based in Vilnius, Lithuania and operates its flights in Europe, CIS and other regions.
Recently, chairman of the board, Gediminas Ziemelis, announced that Avia Solutions Group is exploring the UAV market and its commercial prospects.[25]
Awards
In 2011 Avia Solutions Group was recognized as one of the best debutants on WSE.[26] In 2011 Avia Solutions Group received "Golden Chariot",[27] public award for the outstanding performance in international transport industry in Russia.[28]
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”.[29]
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.[30]
In 2013 Baltic Ground Services received the Grand Prix of the first Lithuanian “I love my company” contest.[31]
In 2013 Avia Solutions Group received Polish Business Award in category “Increase of share price of Lithuanian company on the Warsaw Stock Exchange“.[32]
In 2013 FL Technics Line Russia was recognized as the Russia’s Leader 2013 in the “Transport and inventory wholesale” category.[33]
In 2014 Gediminas Ziemelis, the Chairman of the Board of Avia Solutions Group, Anatolij Legenzov, CEO of Helisota and Tomas Vaisvila, Genereal 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.[34]
Corporate governance
Board
The management board currently has five members. Gediminas Ziemelis, chairman of the board, and 4 members – Aurimas Sanikovas, Avia Solutions Group’s Chief Financial Officer, Daumantas Lapinskas, Deputy CEO of Avia Solutions Group, Zilvinas Lapinskas, CEO of FL Technics and Anatolij Legenzov,[35] CEO of Helisota.
Shareholders
As of March 2015, group shares are distributed in the following proportions.[36]
Shareholder | No of shares | % Share |
---|---|---|
ZIA Valda Cyprus Ltd. | 2.290.045 | 29,44 |
Vaidas Barakauskas | 832.666 | 10,71 |
VGE Investments Limited | 785.216 | 10,10 |
Mesotania Holdings Ltd. | 699.115 | 8,99 |
Harberin Enterprises Limited | 605.227 | 7,78 |
ING Otwarty Fundusz Emertalny | 390.000 | 5,01 |
Anatolij Legenzov | 73.255 | 0,94 |
Aurimas Sanikovas | 60,775 | 0,78 |
Žilvinas Lapinskas | 32.960 | 0,42 |
Daumantas Lapinskas | 8.240 | 0,11 |
Other Free Float | 2.000.278 | 25,72 |
Total number of shares | 7.777.777 | 100% |
Structure
Current companies
Avia Solutions Group has offices in Lithuania, Poland, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and the Russian Federation. As of March, 2015, Avia Solutions Group controls the following companies:[37]
- AviationCV.com – Short and long-term recruitment solutions, advertisement services;
- Baltic Aviation Academy – Flight Training Organization (FTO) and Type Rating Training Organization (TRTO);
- Baltic Ground Services – Ground handling, fuelling and catering services;
- FL Technics – Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul services (MRO).
- Jet Maintenance Solutions – Line and base maintenance for business jets;
- Helisota – Rotorcraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) service provider;
- KlasJet – Business aviation charter, private jet carrier;
- Locatory.com – Aviation supply chain solutions;
- Ramport Aero - airport construction, development and management.
Previous companies
Companies that were part of Avia Solutions Group:
- FlyLaL – national airline of Lithuania (bankrupt)
- BPC Travel – travel agency (spun out)
- AviaAM Leasing – long-term aircraft leasing (spun out)
- UAB Passenger Terminal – construction company to build a new passenger terminal at Vilnius Airport (abandoned)[38]
- Small Planet Airlines – charter airline (sold)
References
- ↑ "Avia Solutions Group - Founded". Registru centras. 2010-08-12. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
- ↑ "Avia Solutions Group - About us - Employees". Avia Solutions Group. Retrieved 2015-03-24.
- ↑ Avia Solutions Group Debuts on Warsaw Stock Exchange
- ↑ Privatisation of state-owned enterprises in Lithuania
- ↑ The competition council authorised the concentration deal by FlyLAL Group services subject to conditions
- ↑ FlyLAL bankrupt, minister demands investigation
- ↑ flyLAL-Lithuanian Airlines AS, in liquidation
- ↑ Baltic Ground Services was sold to UAB Finansų spektro investicija
- ↑ ISAGO Begins to Take Hold
- ↑ ISAGO registry
- ↑ Baltic Ground Services Joins IATA’s Ground Handling Council
- ↑ FL Technics extends capabilities by adding Boeing 737 NG
- ↑ FL Technics becomes Boeing GoldCare partner
- ↑ New FL Technics’ MRO centre in Kaunas welcomes first clients
- ↑ FL Technics Training Launches Online Training Courses
- ↑ Baltic Aviation Academy launches A320 simulator
- ↑ "Aviation Asset Management" plečiasi į Rytus
- ↑ Shares of AviaAM Leasing debuted on the WSE
- ↑ flyLAL Charters renamed Small Planet Airlines
- ↑ Avia sells Small Planet Airlines to airline's management
- ↑ Locatory.com Converts E-Mail Parts Inquiries Into Searches
- ↑ Avia Solutions Group launches AviationCV
- ↑ FL Technics parent branches out into helicopter MRO
- ↑ New Air Charter Firm KlasJet Starts Operations
- ↑ Avia Solutions Group is exploring the UAV market
- ↑ Avia Solutions Group awards
- ↑ Avia Solutions Group received "Golden Chariot"
- ↑ Avia Solutions Group recognised as the best international transport company in Russia
- ↑ Linas Dovydenas, CEO at Avia Solutions Group was awarded as the CEO of the year
- ↑ Aviation Week & Space Technology Presents the Rising Stars of Aerospace in "Top 40 Under Forty" Special Issue
- ↑ Baltic Ground Services received the Grand Prix of the first Lithuanian “I love my company” contest
- ↑ Avia Solutions Group received Polish Business Award in category “Increase of share price of Lithuanian company on the Warsaw Stock Exchange“
- ↑ FL Technics Line Russia Wins "Russia's Leader 2013" Award
- ↑ Gediminas Ziemelis
- ↑ Anatolij Legenzov
- ↑ Avia Solutions Group shareholders as of March 2015
- ↑ Avia Solutions Group - Controlled companies
- ↑ Apie UAB „Passenger Terminal“
External links
- Avia Solutions Group official website
- Baltic Aviation Academy official website
- AviationCV official website
- Baltic Ground Services official website
- FL Technics official website
- Jet Maintenance Solutions official website
- FL Technics Training official website
- Locatory.com official website
- Helisota official website