Ascend Airways Malaysia: Is Southeast Asian aviation ready for ACMI?

Ascend Airways Malaysia, a part of Avia Solutions Group, announced that it has advanced to stage 4 of obtaining its Air Operator Certification (AOC).

The carrier, which provides aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI), said that it is expecting to receive its first aircraft, a Boeing B737-800 freighter, by the third quarter of 2025. Ascend Airways Malaysia also said that its second aircraft, a Boeing 737-800NG configured for passenger operations, is expected to arrive by the first quarter of 2026.

This will pave the way for the carrier’s plans to launch full cargo operations by November 2025, supporting the growth of ACMI not just in Malaysia but the Southeast Asian region.

ASG, the largest ACMI provider, is steadily establishing a footprint across Southeast Asia. In February 2025, it launched Avion Express Philippines, which received its Temporary Operating Permit (TOP) from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) in August 2025.

In August 2025, Thai Smartlynx, another ACMI carrier of the company, welcomed its first aircraft, an Airbus A320-200, at Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jean (@jeanholysmithereens)

What makes Southeast Asia ready for ACMI?

Gediminas Ziemelis, Chairman of the Board at Avia Solutions Group, told AeroTime that the company has its eye on Southeast Asia due to the region being one of the fastest-growing aviation markets, with fleet expansion and passenger traffic projected to outpace global averages. The growth is driven by the region’s rising disposable incomes, a growing middle class, and a thriving tourism sector.

Ziemelis also highlighted the complementing peak and off-peak seasons in Asia-Pacific and Europe as a key factor behind the success of the business model.

“Europe’s peak season for air travel is around August, but that would generally be low-season for Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia,” Ziemelis said, adding that Ascend Airways Malaysia will be sharing capacity with its sister company in the UK, Ascend Airways.

“All airline companies in the world do not need aircraft, crew or maintenance all 12 months of the year. Our goal is to leverage six continents with their different peaks, and our aircraft can serve as backup service to flight operators when needed,” Ziemelis added.

RELATED

Avion Express PH secures Temporary Operating Permit from aeronautics board

The post Ascend Airways Malaysia: Is Southeast Asian aviation ready for ACMI? appeared first on AeroTime.

Go to Source