Five Years of Heston Airlines: Looking Back with CEO and Chairman Jonas Rinkauskas

Five years ago, while much of the aviation industry was facing uncertainty, Heston Airlines CEO and Chairman Jonas Rinkauskas saw an opportunity.

"Aircraft were available, experienced aviation professionals were looking for opportunities, and I knew aviation would recover. People will always need to travel."

That belief became the foundation of Heston Airlines.

Today, the company operates 16 Airbus A320 family aircraft, employs around 650 people, and has carried over eight million passengers. Over the past five years, Heston Airlines has supported airline and tour operators across the globe, operating to more than 120 destinations worldwide. Yet the early days were much simpler.

"Our first office had just six desks," Jonas recalls. "We even had a clothes rack that wasn't assembled until it started raining and people needed somewhere to hang their coats."

From the beginning, the goal was clear: to provide flexible and reliable ACMI solutions for airline partners, helping them secure additional capacity and respond quickly to changing operational needs, while also establishing Heston Airlines as a leading leisure charter provider in the Baltic States and Eastern Europe.

One of Jonas' strongest memories is the period leading up to receiving the Air Operator Certificate and the company's first commercial flight.

"There were a lot of sleepless nights. Then, on 30 June 2021, we operated our first commercial flight from Kaunas to Ljubljana. That was the moment it became real."

The years that followed required constant adaptation. During the pandemic recovery, Heston Airlines expanded into cargo operations before refocusing on passenger flying as the market evolved.

"One of the biggest lessons from the last five years is that adaptability and agility are essential in aviation."

By the end of 2022, the airline was operating 10 aircraft and had established itself in the ACMI market.

For Jonas, however, the company's greatest achievement is its people.

One moment that stands out involved recovering an aircraft stranded in a high-risk region of Africa.

"When we needed people to help bring the aircraft home, they volunteered without hesitation. That experience showed exactly who we are as an organization."

As the company grew, maintaining its culture remained a priority.

"What has surprised me most is how well our culture has grown alongside the business. We don't believe in silos. Everyone contributes to the same objective and understands that success depends on working together."

Today, Heston Airlines employs approximately 650 people across its operations.

"When I look at what we've achieved over the last five years, the thing I'm most proud of is our people. Every milestone we've reached has been made possible because of them."

Looking ahead, the company plans to continue expanding internationally, investing in digitalization, and growing its fleet to up to 30 narrow-body aircraft by 2031.

As Heston Airlines celebrates its fifth birthday, Jonas has a simple message for everyone who has been part of the journey.

"Thank you. From our first commercial flight in 2021 to carrying over six million passengers, this achievement belongs to every person who has contributed to the company.

The last five years have been an incredible journey, but I believe the most exciting part is still ahead of us.

Happy 5th birthday, Heston Airlines. Let's fly forward together."