Lithuanian charter and wet-lease operator KlasJet has secured Part 129 Operations Specifications approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), clearing the carrier to provide immediate capacity to Airlines facing fleet constraints.

Announced in a press release on September 17, 2026, the authorization allows the Avia Solutions Group subsidiary to conduct Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance (ACMI) and charter operations involving the United States. The approval positions KlasJet to capitalize on a North-America market currently managing seasonal demand fluctuations and ongoing aircraft Delivery delays.

Regulatory clearance and operational readiness

The FAA approval marks the culmination of a multi-agency certification process. KlasJet confirmed it has secured all necessary authorizations from the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to commence commercial flights to, from, and through US territory.

Diako Rad, Director Flight Operations at KlasJet, noted that the regulatory clearance fundamentally shifts the company’s discussions with prospective US clients.

“The question has changed when we are in discussion. Previously, when a carrier asked whether we could operate in the US, the answer was that we were working towards it. Today, the answer is yes,” Rad stated in the press release.

The ACMI model allows airlines to wet-lease aircraft to cover temporary capacity shortfalls without committing to long-term leases or hiring additional crew. Rad emphasized that KlasJet provides the aircraft, crews, maintenance, and insurance, integrating directly into the client airline’s existing network.

Boeing 737 fleet composition and regional expansion

KlasJet currently operates a dedicated ACMI fleet of seven Boeing 737-800 aircraft, each configured to accommodate between 186 and 189 passengers. The carrier also maintains a separate VIP charter fleet comprising two Boeing 737-300s and three Boeing 737-500s.

The US authorization builds upon the company’s broader North American expansion strategy. In late 2023, KlasJet obtained a Canadian Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC), establishing its initial footprint in the region.

Driven by global aircraft shortages, KlasJet reported that its ACMI block hours and passenger volumes nearly tripled in 2024 compared to the previous year. To meet this sustained demand, Chief Executive Officer Justinas Bulka has previously outlined a target to expand the carrier’s ACMI fleet to 40 Boeing 737-800s by 2028.

AirPro News analysis

We view KlasJet’s entry into the US market as a timely development for domestic operators struggling with capacity constraints. With major original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) facing persistent supply chain bottlenecks and delivery delays, US airlines are increasingly reliant on wet-lease providers to protect their schedules during peak travel seasons. By securing FAA Part 129 approval, KlasJet transitions from a regional European player to a viable capacity provider in the world’s largest aviation market. This move aligns with the broader strategy of its parent company, Avia Solutions Group, which actively positions its various subsidiary airlines across multiple global jurisdictions to ensure year-round fleet utilization and mitigate regional low-season risks.

Sources: KlasJet

Royal Schiphol Group has initiated a procurement process for five major construction and maintenance tenders, marking a structural shift in how Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) will manage its infrastructure through the next decade.

Announced in a press release on September 25, 2026, the tenders are a foundational element of the Airports €10 billion investment program running through 2035. The new nine-year framework agreements will take effect in 2028 when current contracts expire, transferring greater direct control over asset planning and infrastructure management back to the airport operator.

Scope of the infrastructure overhaul

The €10 billion master plan, initially outlined in late 2025, targets overdue maintenance and funds major capital projects, including the construction of a new Terminal South and extensive renovations to existing piers. The five newly announced tenders divide the required work across terminals, technical installations, aprons, and operational buildings.

Specific assets covered under the upcoming Contracts include concrete aprons, passenger bridges, gate-based power, pre-conditioned air supply systems, and charging infrastructure. The scope also extends to technical rooms, retail units, climate control systems, and airport fire stations.

Royal Schiphol Group Chief Infrastructure Officer Bart Smolders described the initiative as the largest renewal and maintenance program in the airport’s history. The stated objective is to elevate the facility back to the standard of Europe’s leading aviation hubs.

Shifting the contracting model

The transition to new framework agreements in 2028 represents a change in Schiphol’s operational Strategy. Rather than fully outsourcing asset management, the airport intends to combine market expertise with increased internal direction and control.

Smolders noted that achieving the €10 billion renewal requires strong partners, with the tenders laying the foundation for long-term collaboration under this revised model. The nine-year duration of the framework agreements is designed to provide stability for these Partnerships while ensuring the airport maintains oversight of its critical infrastructure.

AirPro News analysis

We view this procurement strategy as part of a broader consolidation effort by Royal Schiphol Group to regain operational authority over its critical services. This mirrors recent moves on the ramp; in June 2026, the airport reduced its authorized ground handling companies from six to three following a public tender process. While that specific reduction faces legal challenges from outgoing providers, the overarching strategy is clear. By bringing asset planning and infrastructure management closer to the center, Schiphol is attempting to eliminate the fragmentation that can delay major modernization projects and complicate daily operations.

Sources: Royal Schiphol Group

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate to McKinney National Airport (TKI), legally authorizing the North Texas facility to commence scheduled commercial passenger service.

Announced in an agency press release on September 24, 2026, the certification marks the first time a Texas airport has received a new Part 139 certificate since 2005. The regulatory approval officially transitions the airfield from a general aviation and corporate reliever facility into the Dallas-Fort Worth region’s third commercial passenger airport.

Federal infrastructure investments and terminal development

The certification follows a series of targeted federal investments designed to bring the airport up to commercial passenger standards. The FAA has directed $9 million toward infrastructure improvements at the McKinney facility, funding taxiway construction and upgrades to the federal contract air traffic control tower.

These physical improvements build upon a 2025 U.S. Department of Transportation initiative that installed high-speed fiber optic cable at the airport to enhance communication systems as part of a broader air traffic control modernization effort.

Dan Edwards, FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, stated in the press release that the agency is building a stronger National Airspace System by providing modern and reliable local airports. He noted that accommodating commercial flights will provide the rapidly growing community around McKinney with greater access to air travel options.

To support the influx of passengers, the City of McKinney is finalizing a new 46,000-square-foot passenger terminal. McKinney National Airport Director of Aviation Dan Carley confirmed that construction is on schedule for the facility’s opening on November 11, 2026, noting the project is generating significant excitement within the local community.

Avelo Airlines establishes new North Texas base

Ultra-low-cost carrier Avelo Airlines is currently the sole operator committed to serving the newly certified airport, positioning the facility as a secondary alternative to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field (DAL).

Avelo plans to base three 184-seat Boeing 737-800 Next-Generation aircraft at the airport, a move the airline expects will create approximately 150 local jobs. Inaugural flights are scheduled to coincide with the terminal opening on November 11, 2026.

The carrier is aggressively scaling its initial network from the airport. By December 2026, Avelo will serve nine nonstop destinations from McKinney. This includes four newly announced routes to Atlanta, Denver, Nashville, and New Orleans, which are scheduled to launch between December 16 and December 17, 2026.

“The response from North Texas has been extraordinary, and the bookings back that up,” Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO Andrew Levy said regarding the initial demand for the new routes.

AirPro News analysis

The issuance of a new Part 139 certificate is a rare event in modern U.S. aviation. The 21-year gap since the last such certification in Texas underscores the high regulatory and financial barriers to entry for converting general aviation fields into commercial passenger facilities.

For Avelo Airlines, securing a dedicated base at McKinney National Airport provides a strategic foothold in Collin County, one of the fastest-growing and most affluent suburban markets in the United States. By operating out of a secondary airport, the carrier avoids the slot constraints, taxi delays, and high operational costs associated with DFW and DAL. If the model proves successful, we expect it may encourage other municipalities with underutilized reliever airports to pursue Part 139 certification to attract ultra-low-cost carriers seeking uncongested infrastructure.

Sources: Federal Aviation Administration