An up-and-coming rival to low-cost airlines Ryanair and easyJet has just placed an order for 80 new Boeing aeroplanes in a bid to expand operations.

Avia Solutions Group (ASG), a European aircraft maintenance and insurance provider who own 11 Air Operator Certificates (AOCs) placed the direct order for 40 Boeing 737-8 MAXs and the option for a further 40.

Gediminas Ziemelis, Chairman of Avia Solutions Group, highlighted that the order shows that the company is expanding operations to support customers.

He explained: “As the world’s largest ACMI [aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance] provider, carrying over 35 million passengers annually for our clients, we have committed to a strategic approach of expanding our capacity to meet our customers’ seasonal needs, and our first order with Boeing is a key pillar of this.

“This is a proud moment for all of us at Avia Solutions Group and is testament to the fact that Avia Solutions Group is now entering a clear phase of sustained growth.”

Currently based in Dublin, Avia Solutions Group’s 11 AOCs currently include Avion Express, KlasJet, and Skytrans, which operate across more than 60 countries.

The company also owns the AOC for Ascend Airways, a UK-based airline company that was launched earlier in 2024, that plans to fly out of both London Gatwick and Southend airports.

It is currently unknown how many Boeing aeroplanes each of the AOCs owned by Avia Solutions Group will receive once the first deliveries take place in 2030.

The Boeing 737 MAX is a narrow-body airliner that has been in service since 2017, typically being used for short to medium-haul journeys or trips that use smaller airports.

The Boeing 737-8 MAXs ordered by Avia Solutions Group can be ordered with between 156 and 210 seats, depending on their configuration, with most examples featuring spaces for Economy and Premium Economy classes.

Many aviation experts regard the 737-8 MAX as one of the most versatile aeroplanes of its class, offering an impressive amount of space for a single-aisle plane and features including customisable LED lighting.

Brad McMullen, Senior Vice President of Commercial Sales and Marketing at Boeing, noted that the order gives Avia Solutions Group the ability to cover up to 3,500 nautical miles without stopping.

He continued: “ACMI providers such as Avia Solutions Group offer important, flexible capacity to meet the dynamic demand in our industry, and we are honored Avia has selected Boeing airplanes to help meet that demand from its customers.

“By choosing the 737-8, Avia Solutions Group is aligning with its customers’ plans to operate increasingly fuel-efficient fleets that improve the passenger experience.”