SmartLynx Airlines appoints new CEO

ACMI, cargo and charter provider SmartLynx Airlines has appointed Edvinas Demenius as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Demenius, who has been a board member and chief commercial officer of the Latvian airline for more than seven years, said he is “proud to be a part of the team that has positioned the airline at the front of the ACMI industry globally,” adding that SmartLynx’s focus “will remain on improving operational performance to drive the company’s growth and continue the expansion of counter-seasonal operations”. Jonas Janukenas, CEO of AviaSolutions Group (of which SmarLynx is a member), described Demenius as a “capable leader, who has grown within [the] organisation,” and was well placed to help SmartLynx “open a new chapter with an increased focus on efficiency, further development and growth”. SmartLynx increased its fleet from 49 to 67 aircraft in 2023, conducting 48% more flights carrying 53% more passengers than the year before, and plans to reach 100 aircraft by 2026.