Zela Aviation

What Zela Aviation does

Zela Aviation, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Limassol, Cyprus, is a privately held aviation brokerage and consultancy firm that intermediates ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) and dry lease arrangements, charter flights, aircraft sales, cargo charters, and aviation consultancy services. The company operates from three offices — Cyprus (HQ), Athens (since September 2019), and London — and serves airlines, tour operators, sports organizations, and airport authorities across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Its service portfolio spans short-term and long-term ACMI leases (including urgent AOG deployments), ad-hoc and series charter brokerage, aircraft sales and remarketing, air cargo charter, and dedicated sports travel and Greek island airport consultancy. A separate sub-brand, Zela Jet (launched 2020), provides private helicopter and jet charter through an Agusta 109C fleet based in Athens.

The business model is asset-light and commission-driven: revenue is generated through broker fees and margins on intermediated ACMI/dry lease and charter deals, transaction fees on aircraft sales, and professional services fees for feasibility studies, business plans, and network planning. The company is family-owned (Chairman and founder Andreas Christodoulides together with sons Yiannis and Zenon, who lead Zela Jet and Zela Aviation respectively), with no external institutional investment. Distribution is exclusively direct enterprise sales via dedicated service-line teams, supplemented by trade show presence (WTM, Paris Air Show, ITB Berlin, Aviation Africa) and association memberships (Air Charter Association, ACTTA, i.s.t.a.a., ATOA). The technology layer is limited to a real-time aircraft availability listings platform and standard CRM/website infrastructure rather than proprietary software systems.

Name

Zela Aviation

Legal name

Zela Aviation

Website

https://zelaaviation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Zela Aviation is a Cyprus-based aviation brokerage founded in 2006 that intermediates ACMI and dry lease arrangements, charter flights, aircraft sales, cargo, and airport consultancy for airlines, tour operators, sports organizations, and airport authorities across Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Brokerage Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212), Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

ACMI / Wet-Lease Passenger Operators (THABADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

ACMI / Wet-Lease Cargo Operators (THABAEAC), Charter Air Freight Forwarding (Full/Part Charter, ACMI Brokerage) (TLACAAAC)

Keywords

• Aircraft leasing brokerage
• ACMI lease services
• Charter flight brokerage
• Aircraft sales remarketing
• Aviation consultancy

Headquarters

HQ city

Limassol

HQ country

Cyprus

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. ACMI Leasing (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance): Zela Aviation arranges short-term and long-term ACMI lease agreements between airlines. The company acts as a broker/facilitator, earning fees or margins on lease arrangements. ACMI leasing provides aircraft with full operational support including crew, maintenance, and insurance.
2. Dry Lease: Arrangement of dry lease contracts where aircraft are leased without crew or operational support, providing revenue through facilitation fees.
3. Charter Services: Ad-hoc and series charter arrangements for tour operators, sports teams, entertainment industry, and private jet customers. Revenue generated through charter fees and broker commissions.
4. Aircraft Sales: Facilitation of aircraft sales and acquisitions across global markets. Revenue from broker fees on completed transactions.
5. Aviation Consultancy: Expert consultancy services for airports, startup airlines, and aviation projects including feasibility studies, business plans, network planning, and operational setup. Revenue from consulting fees.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Zela Aviation is an aviation brokerage firm that arranges ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) and dry lease aircraft transactions between airlines, brokers charter flights for tour operators, sports teams and corporate clients, facilitates aircraft sales and remarketing across global markets, arranges air cargo charters, and provides aviation and airport consultancy services including feasibility studies and network planning. The company acts as an intermediary, earning fees and commissions on each facilitated transaction rather than owning or operating aircraft itself.

Product overview

Zela Aviation is an aviation brokerage company offering a comprehensive suite of services centered on ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) leasing and charter solutions. The core portfolio includes ACMI and Dry Lease aircraft leasing (short-term and long-term), ad-hoc and series charter flights, aircraft sales, air cargo charter, and aircraft remarketing. Sports travel services cater to elite sports clubs for tournament and team travel. Aviation and airport consultancy services support startup airlines and Greek island airport development. The subsidiary brand Zela Jet, launched in 2020, provides private jet and helicopter charter services (including Agusta 109C) across Greece and Europe. The company maintains an aircraft availability platform listing diverse aircraft types for lease and sale.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zela Jet: Private helicopter and private airplane charter services in Greece and Europe, established in 2020 as part of Zela Aviation Group

Products and services

• ACMI Aircraft Leasing ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, Insurance) leasing solutions for airlines and operators, providing short-term and long-term aircraft with full operational support including crew, maintenance, and insurance.
• Dry Lease Aircraft dry lease arrangements providing aircraft without crew, maintenance, or insurance for airlines seeking fleet expansion.
• Charter Flights Ad-hoc and charter series arrangements for tour operators, sports teams, entertainment industry, and corporate clients, including product launches, sporting events, and group charters for groups exceeding 40 passengers.
• Aircraft Sales Aircraft sales and acquisition services covering Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, and ATR aircraft across Europe, Middle East, and Africa regions, with revenue from broker fees on completed transactions.
• Air Cargo Charter Air freight charter solutions including ad-hoc cargo charters, general cargo, humanitarian charters, outsized cargo, and dangerous goods transport.
• Sports Travel Specialized charter services for sports teams and organizations, covering domestic movements, European competitions, training camps, and international tournaments.
• Aircraft Remarketing Comprehensive aircraft remarketing services including asset evaluation, sale/dry/wet lease assessment, redelivery process management, and RFP preparation.
• Aviation Consultancy Expert consultancy services for airports, startup airlines, and aviation projects including feasibility studies, business plans, network planning, marketing, aircraft purchase, quality assurance, and project management.
• Zela Jet Private Charter Private helicopter and private airplane charter services operated through Zela Jet brand across Greece and Europe, including luxury Agusta 109C twin-engine helicopter charter based in Athens serving Greek Islands with VIP capacity for seven passengers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 20 years of successful ACMI and charter broker operations since 2006
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SmartwingscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2026European ACMI provider supplying Boeing 737-8 MAX to Air Seychelles facilitated by Zela Aviation. Operation ran smoothly providing flexibility and operational efficiency.
• Municipality of SkyroscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025New strategic consultancy collaboration to strengthen air connectivity to Skyros island and promote tourism. Third municipal partnership following Sitia (2022) and Syros (2024).
• XEJetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Zela Aviation mandated to promote availability of XEJet's Embraer E145 aircraft for ACMI lease in Nigeria and West Africa region. Strategic partnership providing flexible regional jet solutions.
• Municipality of Syros – ErmoupolicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Strategic collaboration to establish new airport connections to Syros with international destinations and promote island tourism. Partnership renewed for second year in November 2025.
• Fly Air 41coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 July 2024Fly Air 41 ACMI wet leased A319 aircraft to Cyprus Airways with Zela Aviation as broker. Strategic partnership facilitating dynamic ACMI solutions.
• Air PeacecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Nigeria's leading airline hosted meeting at Lagos headquarters with Zela Aviation and Air Explore. Strategic ACMI cooperation for lease of 4 aircraft over winter season.
• Air ExplorecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Slovakia-based ACMI provider leasing aircraft to Air Peace facilitated by Zela Aviation. Zela Aviation brokered partnership to bolster Air Peace's operational capacity.
• EasyJetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2024Zela Aviation secured partnership between EasyJet and Sitia Airport for summer 2024 season. Three weekly flights from Naples and Milan to Sitia.
• Cyprus AirwayscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 December 2023Zela Aviation facilitated long-term wet lease deal where Cyprus Airways leases 2 Airbus A320 aircraft with crews to Aegean Airlines. First aircraft delivered December 2023, second in March 2024.
• Aegean AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 December 2023Greek flag carrier receives 2 Airbus A320 aircraft with crews from Cyprus Airways via Zela Aviation facilitation. Strategic cooperation extended on operational level.
• Ethiopian AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 November 2023Strategic agreement to promote ACMI and charter availability of 737-8 MAX unit during Athens layover. Companies working closely to capitalize on European market opportunities.
• RAF-AVIAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 November 2023Latvian cargo and passenger airline. Zela Aviation mandated to promote SAAB 340 QC unit availability for ACMI lease and charter flights based in Southern Europe from April 2024.
• Universal AirminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 November 2023Malta-based airline. Zela Aviation mandated to promote ACMI and charter availability of 2023 refurbished Dash 8-Q400 unit. Both parties intend to grow relationship.
• International Sports Travel Agencies Association (i.s.t.a.a.)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2023Partner member since April 2023. Only i.s.t.a.a. member in Greece and Cyprus. Association has members in over 50 countries across 5 continents. Supports sports travel industry networking.
• Mongolian AirwaysminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2023Partnership to promote ACMI availability of one A320 unit and one A330-200 unit.
• FlyEgyptminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 October 2022Tactical cooperation. Zela Aviation mandated to promote availability of one 737-800 and one 737-700 for ACMI lease from October 2022.
• MIAT Mongolian AirlinesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2022GSA partnership renewed for fifth consecutive year. MIAT 737 MAX-8 available for ACMI leases from July 2022.
• Sitia Crete AirportcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Strategic partnership since 2022 for airport development. Third consecutive year of collaboration in 2025. Zela Aviation provides consultancy to develop airport operations and tourism potential.
• JambojetcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021Since October 2021, Zela Aviation maintains close working relationship with Kenyan-based Jambojet operating Bombardier Dash 8-Q400 aircraft. Zela Aviation supports development of ACMI solutions for Jambojet, acting as appointed agent for leasing aircraft under ACMI terms.
• Precision AirminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Strategic partnership with Tanzania-based airline for ACMI cooperation. Signed August 25, 2021 at Precision Air headquarters.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chapman Freeborn: Global ACMI/wet-lease and charter broker with offices in over 30 countries. Direct competitor to Zela's ACMI and charter brokerage business, serving airlines, governments, and sports teams with similar off-market aircraft sourcing capabilities.
• Hunt & Palmer: Long-established UK-headquartered ACMI and charter broker with a global network. Direct competitor in airline ACMI brokerage and ad-hoc charter, with comparable European and emerging-market exposure.
• ACASS (Aviation Capital & Services): Specialized ACMI/wet-lease broker and aviation consultancy. Direct competitor in ACMI placement, complimentary crew leasing, and aviation consultancy — closely aligned with Zela's ACMI-leasing and brokerage model.
• Aviator (Aviator Airport Alliance / Aviator Group): Nordic-based aviation services group with ACMI/leasing and charter brokerage divisions. Comparable as an ACMI broker and airport services provider operating across European and emerging markets.
• Air Charter Service: World's largest charter broker with 30+ offices handling passenger, cargo, and ACMI charter. Overlaps directly with Zela's charter, cargo, and ACMI services across corporate, sports, and government clients.

Broad incumbents

• ASL Airlines: European ACMI/cargo operator that has historically supplied wet-lease capacity to airlines. Competes for the same pool of ACMI demand that Zela helps source, and is a previous employer of Zela's own staff.
• Smartwings: Czech-based ACMI and charter operator that leases Boeing 737-8 MAX to Air Seychelles via Zela. A key Zela supplier/partner and a competitor in the underlying ACMI seat capacity market.
• Hi Fly: Portugal-based large-scale ACMI and wet-lease operator serving airlines, governments, and sports teams. A potential competitor supplier and substitute for Zela's brokerage clients seeking ACMI capacity.
• Air Explore: Slovakia-based ACMI operator that leased 4 aircraft to Air Peace via Zela. A Zela supplier/partner and a competing ACMI seat-capacity provider in the European market.

Emerging players

• PrivateFly: Online private jet charter booking platform owned by Directional Aviation. Overlaps with Zela Jet's private aviation segment, applying technology-driven pricing transparency to the same VIP/corporate client base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zela-aviation
• Facebookfacebook.com/ZelaAviation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zela Aviation