BGS CEO Vytautas Cekanavicius takes off with a focus on smooth ground operations

Baltic Ground Services (BGS), a key subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group – the world’s largest ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) provider – has entered a new chapter with the appointment of Vytautas Cekanavicius as CEO in February 2024. Backed by the vast global network and resources of Avia Solutions Group, which operates a fleet of 209 aircraft across six continents and is supported by 14,000 highly skilled aviation professionals, BGS plays a crucial role in delivering ground handling, aircraft fueling, cargo logistics, and other aviation services across Europe.

Since taking on the role, Cekanavicius has brought a strong strategic focus and fresh perspective to a company that’s already a respected and awe-inspiring name in the aviation services sector.

The Baltic Times Magazine sat down to speak with Vytautas Cekanavicius.

What was your path to Avia Solutions Group?
Before joining Avia Solutions Group, I worked in the finance, energy, and retail sectors – so I had already built up a fairly broad base of business experience. The opportunity to join Avia Solutions Group came through a colleague who was working here at the time. I met with then-BGS General Director Gytis Gumuliauskas – who now leads the Group’s airline, Skytrans, in Australia. The conversation was constructive, we quickly found common ground, and shortly after, we began working together.

Before becoming the CEO of Baltic Ground Services (BGS) in February 2024, you led the BGS fuel supply division for four years, overseeing 10 fuel stations in five countries. What experience did you gain in that role? How does it help in your current position?
Managing multiple stations across five countries – combined with BGS’s ambitious growth plans and constant pursuit of new opportunities – gave me diverse and valuable experience. I had the chance to engage with most of the company’s processes and get to know my colleagues more closely. When I stepped into the role of CEO, I was already a familiar face to the team, which I believe significantly eased my transition into the new responsibilities.

How does your workday begin?
My workday begins while I’m still driving to the office. I use the roughly 20-minute commute to plan my day, set priorities, check who I’m meeting and when, and figure out how to manage my time efficiently. This helps me focus and prepare for the challenges ahead. Once I get to the office, I traditionally start the day with a cup of coffee and a quick greeting with colleagues – it’s a symbolic kick-off to a productive day.

Ground handling services, such as those provided by BGS, face numerous challenges – from staff shortages to extremely tight turnaround times, not to mention environmental and sustainability demands. Which challenges stand out most to you, both within your group and across the ground handling industry? What innovative solutions are Avia Solutions Group, BGS, and you personally offering to meet them?
Hiring and managing staff is a daily activity for any company. We have a comprehensive training process, and candidates must meet high standards of integrity and pass checks by relevant authorities. As such, recruitment is a long and carefully planned process.
After the COVID pandemic, many European airports faced serious staffing shortages. However, we managed well in this area – we maintained a high level of punctuality, and passengers did not experience any significant disruptions.
Aviation is a tightly regulated industry where everything must run like clockwork. Processes are clearly documented, and internal and external audits are routine – this is our everyday reality. Our operations are run by highly qualified professionals who handle daily challenges with excellence.
I believe BGS stands out for its high service quality. Our employees not only learn the processes during training but actively contribute to process improvement. We learn from mistakes and strive to improve daily – which is clearly reflected in our quality indicators.
Continuous additional requirements – especially in the areas of safety and sustainability – are part of our job. Both BGS and Avia Solutions Group are often one step ahead – not only meeting mandatory and recommended standards, but exceeding them, and earning the highest certifications available in the market. 

What inspires me as a leader is the team’s constant drive to improve, their willingness to take on hard challenges, and their search for ways to further enhance company performance.

Where and how does BGS source aviation fuel? This field must also come with challenges – fuel prices fluctuate, supply chains are disrupted by geopolitical tensions, and environmental advocates are keeping a close watch. What’s most important to you when making decisions?
When purchasing fuel, we focus on two main criteria: price and reliability. We aim to secure the most competitive pricing and organize the supply chain efficiently so that fuel is never in short supply. Of course, unforeseen circumstances can arise, but we’ve never faced a situation where an airport's operations were disrupted due to a fuel shortage – that shows we can respond quickly and effectively to any challenges.

BGS operates across all three Baltic countries. Do you notice any significant differences between operations in them?
We don’t see major differences – we all work for the same company, follow the same processes, and culturally, we’re quite similar.

Generally speaking, what do you see as the biggest challenges for aviation today? And where do you see the greatest opportunities?
The biggest challenges currently are attracting employees and constantly evolving regulatory requirements. Still, within every challenge, there’s opportunity. For example, Avia Solutions Group is planning a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant – an excellent example of how new, promising business directions can emerge from regulatory developments.

In what ways does AI make your job easier?
Our team uses more and more artificial intelligence – both for text creation and information gathering. Processes like data collection or market analysis become faster and more efficient with AI. Additionally, we can now create more engaging visuals without the help of designers – we handle it ourselves using the latest technologies.

As the head of BGS, you initiated cooperation with Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU), offering IATA-certified courses in passenger ground services and airport ramp services. Why? Are you involved in any other social or community activities?
BGS and Kazimieras Simonavicius University (KSU) launched a collaboration to organize International Air Transport Association (IATA)-accredited training. This partnership began in April 2024 and is intended for both KSU students and BGS employees – aiming to provide top-quality aviation education.

Avia Solutions Group is a massive international company, a true ambassador for Lithuania! Can you recall instances when people – perhaps not even from the aviation sector – learned about Lithuania thanks to Avia Solutions Group?
Being part of Avia Solutions Group is definitely a great advantage for us at BGS. Most of our contacts have already encountered one of the group’s companies or have at least heard of Avia Solutions Group.
It’s a well-known name not just in Lithuania – those who know of it generally view it as a true success story.
When presenting BGS, we always emphasize that we are part of Avia Solutions Group, briefly introduce the group’s companies, and if we sense interest, we connect potential partners with the relevant sister companies.

So far, what do you consider your greatest professional achievement at Avia Solutions Group?
I believe the greatest achievements are still ahead. Right now, I’m working intensively on a special project that I believe in strongly and am dedicating a lot of effort to (smiles).