SmartLynx Australia rebrands back to Skytrans

By Andrew Curran.

ACMI airline SmartLynx Australia will adopt its former name, Skytrans, as it attempts to put distance between it and a brand tarnished by the collapse of another SmartLynx branded airline.

Mooted several months ago, SmartLynx Australia made the switch official on February 10, 2026, rebranding its website and social media.

“The airline that began its journey as Skytrans in 1990 will continue as Skytrans Australia, following Avia Solutions Group’s exit from the SmartLynx brand globally,” a statement on the website reads.

A long-established commuter and charter airline based at Cairns (CNS), Avia Solutions Group acquired Skytrans in 2024. 

Latvian insolvency tarnishes Australian airline brand

Avia Solutions Group is a Lithuanian-owned ACMI provider holding eleven air operator certificates across different jurisdictions. Its brands include Avion Express, SmartLynx, Klasjet, Air Expore, BBN, and Ascend Airways. Two years ago, Avia was on the hunt for an Australian air operator’s certificate and snapping up an existing carrier was the quickest way to achieve this.

In October 2025, Avia sold its struggling SmartLynx Latvia to a Dutch investment firm, Stichting Break Point Distressed Assets Management. Shortly after, the airline entered insolvency, leaving some 1,200 people out of work and creditors owed around EUR240 million (USD286 million). In the process, the SmartLynx brand experienced significant reputational damage.

Avia Solutions Group then decided to merge and rebrand its two remaining European SmartLynx airlines, SmartLynx Estonia and SmartLynx Malta, and simply rebrand its Australian airline.

“The rebrand is limited solely to matters of corporate identity,” the statement adds. “Skytrans Australia will continue flights under the Australian air operator certificate, and all day-to-day operations are set to continue without disruption, ensuring full-service continuity for customers and partners.”

No changes beside name change, says airline

Skytrans Australia operates a fleet of eleven passenger aircraft, including two A319-100s and nine Dash 8 turboprops, specifically five DHC-8-100s, two DHC-8-Q200s, and two DHC-8-Q300s. It is the only Avia Solutions Group airline to maintain a regular passenger transport network. However, it also has a growing contract and ad hoc charter business, including regularly flying one of the A319s between Brisbane and Western Australia mining camps for Mineral Resources.

Skytrans Australia says it remains committed to continuing to deliver reliable regional connectivity through its scheduled regular public transport services and charter/FIFO flights for commercial clients.

“The company is expanding its fleet and offering, including ACMI services,” the statement says. “The aim is to add global flexibility while preserving the regional reliability Skytrans is known for.”

Photo: AI-Generated.

Contact the writer: andrew@aerosouthpacific.com