OUTGOING CEO LED AIRLINE THROUGH AOC AWARD, LAUNCH AND IOSA AUDIT

Avion Express Brasil, the Brazilian subsidiary of Lithuanian ACMI operator Avion Express, has announced a transition in its senior leadership. Esteban Jauregui Lorda, who has served as Chief Executive Officer since the company’s formation, is stepping down after guiding the airline through the full arc of its establishment phase. Fernando Amaral, who has served as the airline’s Chief Technical Officer, has been appointed Interim CEO with effect from 21 August 2026.

The milestones delivered under Jauregui Lorda’s tenure are considerable for a newly established airline: the award of a Brazilian Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by Brazil’s civil aviation authority, the launch of commercial flight operations with the airline’s first aircraft, and the successful completion of the IOSA (IATA Operational Safety Audit), with formal accreditation now pending. Together these represent the core regulatory and operational foundations required for an ACMI carrier to function in the Brazilian market and to begin offering capacity to airline partners in the region.

Jauregui Lorda said he was grateful for the opportunity to build a new airline in the Brazilian market, describing it as one of the most rewarding experiences of his career. He said the team had achieved milestones that once seemed ambitious — from securing the Brazilian AOC and launching commercial operations to completing the IOSA audit and building a strong foundation for the future of Avion Express Brasil — and expressed pride in what the team had accomplished together. Vytenis Suklys, CEO of Avion Express Group, said the company was grateful for Jauregui Lorda’s leadership and commitment during one of the most important stages of the airline’s development, describing it as a task that required vision, resilience and dedication.

BRAZIL REMAINS A LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PRIORITY FOR THE GROUP

Suklys emphasised that Brazil remains a strategically important market and a central part of Avion Express’s long-term growth strategy, and said the group would continue strengthening cooperation between its European and Brazilian AOCs — a structure that allows it to offer airline partners seamless ACMI capacity across both markets. With the IOSA audit successfully completed and accreditation expected in the near term, Avion Express Brasil will be positioned to unlock new commercial opportunities as a fully IOSA-accredited operator. Suklys said the focus remained unchanged: delivering safe, reliable and seamless operations while helping airline partners respond flexibly to market demand.

Avion Express operates a fleet of 138 aircraft as part of Avia Solutions Group, which it describes as the world’s largest ACMI provider. The Brazilian subsidiary, established in 2025, operates Airbus A320 Family aircraft and complements the group’s existing ACMI presence through Avion Express’s primary Lithuanian AOC and Avion Express Malta, which was established in 2019. The appointment of Amaral as Interim CEO provides operational continuity through the transition, given his existing technical leadership role within the airline.