By Eva Richardson | March 25, 2025 | The Logistic News
In a decisive step toward greater technical self-sufficiency, GetJet Airlines has secured a long-term lease for a 4,664-square-meter plot at Vilnius International Airport (VNO), where the carrier will build its first in-house Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility. The 40-year lease was awarded through a competitive auction held by Lithuanian Airports, and construction is expected to begin in the near future.
The project marks a strategic pivot for the Lithuanian ACMI and charter airline, which has increasingly positioned itself as a fast-response operator known for its agility and reliability. The new facility—expected to be operational by 2028—will enable GetJet to independently service its growing fleet, reducing reliance on third-party MRO providers amid mounting global capacity constraints.
“Establishing our own MRO facility marks a significant step in expanding our ability to support our fleet independently,” said Inga Duglas, CEO of GetJet Airlines. “This investment strengthens our operational flexibility and reliability—two cornerstones of our business model. We currently perform over 500 ad-hoc operations per year, and being able to manage our own technical base will only increase our responsiveness.”
The airline is committing €10 million to the project between 2025 and 2028, with plans to create around 50 new jobs for highly skilled aviation professionals. The facility will be equipped to handle a wide range of maintenance services for narrow-body aircraft, reinforcing GetJet’s commitment to safety, efficiency, and service quality.
Strategic Response to Global MRO Pressure
The move comes at a time when the global MRO sector is struggling to keep pace with rising demand. Airlines around the world are grappling with longer wait times and increased maintenance requirements, exacerbated by new aircraft delivery delays and the continued operation of aging fleets.
“Global MRO infrastructure is operating at full capacity,” said Darius Viltrakis, CEO of GetJet Aviation Holdings. “A recent Bain & Company study found that turnaround times for next-gen engines have increased by 150%, while legacy engine models require 35% more time for servicing compared to pre-pandemic levels.”
These trends are driving a surge in MRO investment across the aviation sector. According to Oliver Wyman, the global commercial airline fleet is projected to grow from 29,000 aircraft in 2025 to over 38,300 by 2035—a 32% increase. That growth will place immense pressure on existing MRO infrastructure.
GetJet’s decision to invest in its own facility reflects a proactive strategy to mitigate risk and enhance long-term competitiveness.
“Owning our own hangar and reducing dependence on external MRO providers is a major competitive advantage,” Viltrakis added. “It allows us to improve turnaround times, control service quality, and respond quickly to rising market demands.”
Enhancing Operational Autonomy
The future facility at Vilnius Airport will not only offer technical maintenance but serve as a strategic backbone for GetJet’s expanding operations across Europe and beyond. With a global network of ACMI contracts and short-notice deployments, GetJet’s business model depends heavily on fleet availability and flexibility—making the ability to perform in-house maintenance a game-changer.
“This project reinforces our identity as the ‘Task Force of Aviation’,” Duglas emphasized. “With this facility, we’re reinforcing our capability to mobilize rapidly, support our clients consistently, and stay ahead of industry disruptions.”
As the commercial aviation sector braces for further growth and tightening infrastructure, GetJet Airlines is charting its own path—building resilience from the ground up.
