MRO industry in 2022 – highlights from JETMS’ year

2022 held exciting opportunities and challenges for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry. JETMS, a leading global provider of base and line maintenance services as well as bespoke interiors, exteriors, and aircraft completion services for business and commercial aircraft, and a family member of Avia Solutions Group, has taken time to look back on the year passed – assess its performance, and look at achieved results.

2022 brought market diversification due to war on Ukraine

The ongoing war on Ukraine has changed the world overnight, including the aviation industry. Since a large number of Russian-owned aircraft were operated in Europe under European AOCs (Air Operator Certificates), once the war struck, a huge number of aircraft simply dropped out of the global market. JETMS saw a significant fall by terminating all business and contracts related to the Russian market. Despite this, in a short time, the group has not only recovered, but also improved their results and is working hard on some of the new projects ahead, like exploring new markets and diving into brand-new challenges.

“One of the markets that we have shifted our attention on has been Africa,” said Vytis Zalimas, CEO of JETMS. “It is still a largely unexplored area for aviation with plenty of great opportunities, which could lead to some of most the daring projects for us. The African market is currently our priority.”

This has also brought back the topic of Know Your Customer (KYC). While JETMS has had a strict KYC policy for several years, educating both customers and partners about transparent business principles, only recently there has been a clear breakthrough in in understanding why those policies are relevant for doing safe and reliable business.

Integration between United Kingdom and Lithuania

Since the acquisition of the interiors and exteriors company in the UK, JETMS group had a successful period, accomplishing a great number of jointly completed projects with now rebranded JETMS Completions, a Biggin Hill-based long-established aircraft interior, exterior completions company. The rebranding strategy served to strengthen their place in the market, as well as better represent the esteem in which both companies are held in the aviation industry.

The integration of business processes, implementation of a new business strategy and alignment of common goals led the two axes – Biggin Hill and Vilnius teams accomplish impressive, united projects, concerning aircraft maintenance, interiors and exteriors.

Looking at JETMS Lithuania, in 2022 MHRS (Maintenance Hours) rose by 40%, taking into consideration the loss of a market share and quick reorientation following that. Overall, the Technics Department’s capabilities increased by 30%, which was the result of streamlining LEAN processes as well as JETMS’ own discipline and automatization of certain processes and works.

“The projects taken on this year show that together the teams have spectacular capabilities to work on exceptional projects with a range of aircraft, including commercial aviation,” noted Zalimas. “One of such large projects was the Boeing business jet project, that we were trusted to see through.”

“The project consisted of full interior and exterior changes,” commented Keiron McNeill, Managing Director at JETMS Completions. “This Boeing business jet project will definitely become our business card and will represent how far we can go – the highest quality, the best teamwork, and the unlimited capabilities.”

Securing strategic partnerships

Over the year, JETMS have secured several key partnerships with some of the notable names in the industry, including Dassault, Inflite, Airlander, Valljet, as well as reigniting previous relationships with clients such as NetJets. The partnerships allowed JETMS group continue expanding their reach across the globe and further establish itself in the main markets.

“The truth is, you cannot be alone in business, and especially business dealing with aviation,” commented McNeill. “If you want to be on the winning team, you have to play with other big players – and that is exactly what we do. New partnerships with such key names as Dassault, Loganair, Airlander, and Inflite let us feel proud and even more confident in what we do. At the same time, it is also a big responsibility falling on our team, that is why we go the extra mile daily, to meet and exceed customers and partners’ expectations.”

Most important MRO events of the year

The year was also incredibly active for JETMS group in regard to TOP aviation events. The group has attended some of the most important industry and aviation community events in 2022, including the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE), Aircraft Interiors Expo, MRO Europe, Aviation Africa, MRO Middle East, NBAA BACE, and more. EBACE and Aircraft Interiors Expo saw large delegations from both the UK and Lithuania, where the JETMS team has a chance to welcome partners, while for others like Libya Aviation Forum and Expo or Aviation Africa, JETMS were attending for the first time, to expand their markets.

“During the pandemic, we as a community have truly missed the face-to-face interactions and communication, maybe that’s why all of the events we participated at were packed with attendees, excitement, joy and valuable insights,” said Zalimas.

Milestones ahead in 2023

During the year, the group has initiated several expansion projects, including opening interiors shop at the Kaunas Airport, Lithuania as well as Hangar 510 at Biggin Hill Airport, UK which gives JETMS Completions premises to expand its capabilities and strengthen JETMS’ presence there, bringing in new acquisitions to expand its Part 21J and Part 145 capability in the UK.

The group has also introduced first-of-its-kind aircraft exterior and interior maintenance program based on a subscription model, looking into incorporating sustainability aspect in aircraft exterior, interior, and completions segment, and receiving FAA approval for Embraer 505 seat maintenance and modification.

“Investment is key to business growth for any company, and we are on this same track ourselves,” explained McNeill. “This meant hangar expansion, new acquisitions, and new business lines. 2023 is going to be a very exciting year, filled with grand events and milestones for all of JETMS.”

About JETMS:

JETMS is a global provider of integrated world-class aircraft solutions that meet numerous servicing and modification demands. Our specialist services include line and base MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul), bespoke interiors, exteriors, and aircraft completions for both VIP and commercial aircraft.

JETMS is part of Avia Solutions Group, leaders in end-to-end capacity solutions for passenger and cargo airlines worldwide. With over 100 offices and production facilities worldwide, we have a significant network of contacts and sister companies who can assist with a wide range of additional client requirements.

JETMS service our clients’ aircraft from our modern facilities in Vilnius & Kaunas, Lithuania and London, UK.

Our dedicated team of professionals can perform a wide range of maintenance procedures, interior and exterior modifications, as well as aircraft on ground (AOG) support.

For more information, please visit www.jetms.aero and www.aviasg.com

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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