23 February 2021: Genesis, the Dublin-based aircraft leasing company has formed an alliance with Heston Aviation, to build and launch Heston Airlines. Heston Airlines will be a newly established Lithuanian headquartered charter and ACMI service provider.

Over the past 12 months Genesis has supported the strategy and development of the airline and has just concluded on delivering the airline’s first 180-seat A320 aircraft to support the final stages of Heston Airlines application for an EASA Air Operator Certificate (AOC). Genesis will work with Heston Airlines to deliver additional A320 aircraft which are planned to enter service in 2021.

Commenting on the partnership Karl Griffin, CEO of Genesis said “Since March 2020, Genesis has been working together with the Heston team on this innovative way to bring flexible lift directly into the charter and ACMI airline market, providing both wet and dry leasing solutions to airlines as they start to take off with the vaccine roll-out across Europe.”

Jonas Rinkauskas, CEO of Heston Airlines said “Entering this agreement marks a substantial moment in our long-term strategy and efforts to increase vertical integration and cost control, and we are proud and pleased to announce it. The possibility to leverage Genesis’ global portfolio of aircraft and unparalleled expertise will contribute to both our growth as a company, and to our ability to offer significantly better, faster, more flexible, and cost-efficient services to our clients. We are eager to share these and many other subsequent advantages with them in the nearest future.”