Brazil’s aviation landscape is welcoming a new entrant in 2025: Avion Express Brasil, a subsidiary of the European ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) specialist Avion Express, itself part of the global Avia Solutions Group. With its official Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) granted in February 2025 by ANAC, Brazil’s civil aviation authority, the airline has already launched its first commercial flight on August 19, 2025, signaling the start of operations in Latin America’s largest market.
Who They Are
Avion Express Brasil is based in Indaiatuba, São Paulo, and follows the successful ACMI model pioneered by its parent companies in Europe. Rather than operating scheduled passenger flights under its own brand, the carrier provides aircraft and full operational support on a wet-lease basis to other airlines. This means that Avion Express Brasil can step in to cover peak demand, seasonal traffic increases, or temporary fleet shortages for Brazilian and regional carriers—offering flexibility without the long-term investment required by traditional airlines.
Why Brazil, Why Now
The choice of Brazil is strategic. The country is not only South America’s largest aviation market but also one of the most volatile. Airlines such as LATAM, Gol, and Azul often face sudden shifts in capacity needs due to seasonality, regional demand spikes, and economic fluctuations. Avion Express Brasil enters at a time when Brazilian carriers are still restructuring after the pandemic and dealing with rising costs, while demand for both domestic and regional international flights is rebounding strongly.
Fleet and Operations
The airline is starting operations with Airbus A320 family aircraft, a proven workhorse in Brazil and around the world. These narrow-body jets are ideal for high-frequency domestic routes as well as regional flights across South America. Over time, the company is expected to expand its fleet as it wins more contracts with local airlines.
Backing and Expertise
Behind Avion Express Brasil stands Avia Solutions Group, a global aviation powerhouse headquartered in Ireland with Lithuanian ownership. The group manages over 100 subsidiaries in aviation and logistics and is controlled by founder Gediminas Žiemelis. This international backing provides financial strength, operational expertise, and access to a global pool of pilots and technicians.
What It Means for Brazil
For passengers, the arrival of Avion Express Brasil might not be obvious at first—since flights are operated under the branding of the client airline. But for Brazil’s aviation industry, it brings a critical tool for managing capacity more efficiently. If successful, Avion Express Brasil could help stabilize operations, reduce cancellations, and expand flexibility for Brazilian carriers, ultimately improving reliability in a competitive market.
