SmartLynx Airlines, a Latvian provider of ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance), cargo, and charter services, has been granted a Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC) by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States. This certification allows SmartLynx to expand its operations to, from, and within the U.S. market.
The FAA certification recognizes SmartLynx’s aircraft registered under the Latvian Air Operator Certificate (AOC) as compliant with U.S. aviation regulations and safety standards. This approval allows SmartLynx to support cross-continental charter and ACMI flights for airlines operating between the U.S. and other destinations.
The airline’s CEO, Edvinas Demenius, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, «The USA is the biggest and one of the most regulated aviation markets in the world. Providing our services there brings a lot of value and boosts our competitiveness.»
In 2023, the FAA awarded Latvia’s Civil Aviation Agency a Category 1 rating, enabling Latvian-registered aircraft to operate commercial passenger flights to the United States. SmartLynx has been flying to and from the U.S. since 2019 under a Maltese AOC, but this new certification broadens the airline’s ability to use Latvian-registered aircraft for U.S. operations.
With global passenger demand rebounding to pre-pandemic levels, SmartLynx Airlines has transported a record 7,21 million passengers between January and September 2024, a 52% increase compared to last year. This surge in demand positions the airline for further growth as it expands its services across the Atlantic.
Founded in 1992, SmartLynx Airlines operates a fleet that includes Airbus A320, A321, A321F, and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The airline is part of the Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider, managing a fleet of 214 aircraft globally.
