Avion Express, a globally leading narrow-body ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) operator, and part of Avia Solutions Group, is beginning preparations to obtain an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in Mexico, and as part of this, the company is starting the recruitment process for the CEO of its Mexican ACMI start-up airline. Establishment of the Mexican AOC is part of a strategic initiative to expand the company’s footprint in key growth markets of Latin America.
Credit: Avion Express
Mexico offers strong potential for this expansion. According to the country’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), more than 45 million international tourists visited Mexico last year—the highest number since 2019. But the demand for flights isn't just driven by tourism. Air travel within Mexico plays a crucial role in connecting people across the country. In 2024 alone, more than 830,000 flights took place within Mexico, and local airlines served 596 city pairs, according to the Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA).
ALTA also notes that in 2024, the average person in Mexico took 0.85 flights, which is significantly higher than the average of 0.62 flights per person across Latin America and the Caribbean. Between 2017 and 2024, domestic air travel in Mexico grew by 4.4% per year, while international travel increased by 3.7% annually.
Darius Kajokas, CEO of Avion Express, stated: “As ACMI operator, we aim to support airlines by adding capacity when it’s needed most, particularly in response to demand fluctuations and seasonality in different markets. With a well-established presence in Europe, we are expanding our global footprint by focusing on countercyclical markets. Recently, we obtained an AOC in Brazil, and we see significant potential in Mexico, where we believe our services can deliver substantial value. Avion Express already has experience in this market through a long-term ACMI partnership, and our goal is to ensure sustained operations in the region.”
Obtaining an AOC in Mexico will significantly reinforce Avion Express’s standing as a global leader in ACMI solutions. Now the company is focused on building a professional team which would have deep expertise in the local market.
“As an initial step, we are launching the recruitment process for the CEO of Avion Express Mexico, who will be responsible for building the team, leading the certification of the Mexican AOC, and later running the business once it becomes operational,” noted Darius Kajokas.
Avion Express plans to secure the Mexican AOC within the next 24 months.
The ACMI business model is designed to help airlines manage seasonal fluctuations and operational challenges. Seasonal variations and shifting passenger demand highlight the value and efficiency of ACMI solutions. These solutions enable airlines to adjust their fleets as needed during peak travel seasons, providing flexibility to respond to market seasonality. Avion Express now operates 55 Airbus A320 family aircraft, serving multiple customer airlines around the world, including Eurowings, Flybondi, KM Malta, SunExpress, Transavia, Tunisair, Viva, Wizz Air, and many more.