What JETMS Is Doing
JETMS — a UK‑founded aircraft interiors and completions specialist (part of the Avia Solutions Group aerospace group) — is centralising its aircraft interiors production at a facility in Kaunas, Lithuania, moving work that was previously done in the UK. The new production site is a modern 65,000 sq ft facility designed to handle cabin interior manufacturing for commercial and VIP aircraft. Meanwhile, the UK operation will remain as a centre of design excellence rather than mass production. (Aviation International News)
Why the Shift Is Happening
1. Efficiency & Scale of Production
JetMS’s production focus is moving to Lithuania because the Kaunas facility offers greater scale and consolidated manufacturing capacity for interior components — making it more efficient to produce at one larger, modern site rather than split across smaller sites. This supports the company’s ability to meet growing production demand for cabin interiors. (Aviation International News)
2. Keeping Creative/Design in the UK
While production shifts, JETMS retains its UK team focused on design, engineering and certification work. That suggests the UK offices will continue to play a high‑value role in product development, keeping intellectual and design expertise in Britain while moving labour‑intensive manufacturing to Lithuania. (Travel Daily News)
3. Integration With Parent Company Footprint
JETMS is part of Avia Solutions Group (ASG) — a Dublin‑based global aviation business group with an extensive European footprint, including related operations in Lithuania. ASG already operates subsidiaries and facilities in the Baltic region, making Lithuania a logical hub for expanded production and supply chain activities. (Avia Solutions Group)
Case Study — Kaunas Facility Expansion
Kaunas, Lithuania:
• JETMS has consolidated its cabin interiors production capabilities at a large, modern facility located in Kaunas — a city that has become a growing centre for aerospace manufacturing in the EU. ✈️ (Aviation International News)
UK Design Centre:
• The UK side of the business, historically located at Biggin Hill and other sites, will continue to provide design, engineering and certification support even as production tasks migrate. This means the UK retains high‑skilled roles while manufacturing tasks relocate. (Travel Daily News)
Business & Industry Commentary
Strategic Industry Move
Analysts view this shift as part of a broader trend where aerospace firms seek lower‑cost, high‑capacity manufacturing hubs within Europe while keeping research and design in legacy markets such as the UK. Lithuania’s growing aerospace ecosystem — with strong engineering talent and supportive infrastructure — makes it attractive. (Luftfahrtmagazin.de)
Regional Aerospace Growth
Lithuania’s aerospace sector has been expanding, with firms establishing new MRO hubs, partnerships, and production streams in recent years. This broader ecosystem growth likely contributed to JETMS’s decision — positioning the company closer to supply chain partners and talent within continental Europe. (Luftfahrtmagazin.de)
Commentary from Within the Group
Industry voices point out that aviation production remains highly competitive, and locating manufacturing where costs, logistics and workforce availability align best is key to staying competitive globally. JETMS’s consolidation in Kaunas aligns with this logic.
What This Means Practically
| Component | UK (Pre‑Shift) | Post‑Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Design & Engineering | Based in UK | UK remains centre for design |
| Production & Manufacturing | UK & other smaller sites | Centralised in Kaunas, Lithuania |
| Labour Costs & Scale | Higher UK labour costs | Lower costs & larger facility scale in Lithuania |
| Group Synergy | Split units | Consolidated European footprint |
Industry & Stakeholder Reaction
Aviation Sector
Observers note that shifting production to centralised hubs like Kaunas ready for larger volume work helps companies streamline operations and improve competitiveness — particularly important given the upswing in corporate and commercial aircraft interior demand. (Aviation International News)
Employee & Regional Impact
- UK workforce: Skilled design and certification roles are expected to remain, preserving core technical jobs in the UK.
- Lithuania workforce: Expansion of production work likely brings manufacturing jobs and growth opportunities within the Kaunas aerospace cluster.
Industry commentators also highlight that production consolidation can strengthen supply chain resilience, particularly in scenarios where firms must balance cost pressures with service quality for global clients.
Bottom Line
JETMS’s shift of aircraft interiors production from the UK to Lithuania reflects a strategic realignment aimed at centralising manufacturing, reducing production costs, and leveraging a growing aerospace manufacturing base in Eastern Europe — while keeping high‑value design expertise in the UK. This model allows the company to stay competitive globally and strengthen its operations within the wider Avia Solutions Group footprint. (Aviation International News)
Here’s a case‑study and commentary‑oriented breakdown of JETMS’s decision to shift aircraft interiors production from the UK to Lithuania — including concrete examples of how this change is affecting operations, what it means for the business, and how industry observers and stakeholders are reacting.
Case Study 1 — Centralising Production in Kaunas, Lithuania
What Changed
JETMS, a global provider of aircraft interior solutions that was historically headquartered and operating significant facilities in the UK (Biggin Hill, London area), is relocating its aircraft interiors production activities to a larger, modern facility in Kaunas, Lithuania — effective 1 January 2026. The move consolidates cabin interior manufacturing into a single, 65,000 sq ft facility in Kaunas. Meanwhile, the UK operation will continue as a centre for design excellence and engineering support rather than mass production. (Aviation International News)
Impact in Practice
Before the shift:
- JETMS had production and design capabilities split across the UK and Lithuanian sites.
- The UK site handled both production and design tasks for aircraft interiors (VIP and commercial money‑ and labour‑intensive work).
After the shift:
- Lithuania becomes the hub for physical production — building cabin interiors and components, likely leveraging lower production costs and coordinated logistics.
- The UK site transitions toward high‑value design, engineering and certification roles, retaining technical talent domestically while moving assembly and fabrication work abroad. (Aviation International News)
Case Study 2 — Strategic Restructuring for Growth
Reasoning Behind the Change
Industry and company updates indicate that JETMS is restructuring its business “with the goal of driving growth” — a strategy that includes production optimisation and workforce realignment to better match market demands and capabilities. In other words, consolidating production in Lithuania enables operational focus and potentially improves competitiveness in both cost and capacity. (Aircraft Interiors International)
This shift comes amid a broader strengthening of Lithuania’s role in European aerospace production and engineering, where companies such as J&C Aero and others are also expanding cabin interior and retrofit capabilities from Lithuanian hubs. (jcaero.com)
Commentary from Industry Voices
Strategic & Operational Perspective
- Aviation analysts note that moving production to a centralised European facility like Kaunas can reduce duplication, cut production costs, simplify supply chains, and better align operations with growth markets across Europe — rather than maintaining dispersed manufacturing in a higher‑cost UK environment.
- Keeping design and certification in the UK positions the business to continue leveraging British engineering strength while using Lithuanian manufacturing to scale production efficiently. (Aviation International News)
Workforce & Regional Dynamics
- Workers and industry observers often see such moves as opportunities for job creation in emerging aerospace hubs (e.g., Kaunas) while presenting challenges to traditional sites where production has been moved away. Some former production staff may be offered new roles in design, engineering, or other non‑production capacities in the UK unit, as the company retains those functions domestically.
- Lithuanian investment in aerospace — including MRO and cabin production facilities — has been a consistent trend, supported by other companies and MoUs that emphasize the country’s growing aerospace ecosystem in Kaunas and other cities. (jcaero.com)
What This Means for JETMS and the Sector
| Element | UK (Past) | Lithuania (New) |
|---|---|---|
| Production | Mixed (UK & Lithuania) | Centralised at Kaunas facility |
| Design & Engineering | In the UK | UK remains centre for design excellence |
| Cost Structure | Higher UK production costs | Lower cost base with modern production |
| Business Focus | Split roles | Clear specialisation: design in UK, production in Lithuania |
| Growth Alignment | Regional scaling challenges | Leverages Lithuanian aerospace ecosystem |
This hybrid model — keep high‑value roles in the UK while shifting volume production to Lithuania — reflects a broader trend in aerospace where companies balance cost, skills, and market access across borders to stay competitive. (Aviation International News)
Industry & Stakeholder Responses
Positive Views
- Many aviation commentators see consolidation of production in Lithuania as smart given its modern facilities and expanding aerospace cluster, which is attracting broader industry participation.
- Customers and supply chain partners may benefit from more streamlined production and potentially shorter lead times once the Kaunas site reaches full capacity.
Challenges & Considerations
- The shift can raise concerns about local job impacts in the UK, as production roles may not be fully replaced by design roles domestically.
- Ensuring continuity of quality and managing transition logistics (e.g., tooling, certifications, workforce training) can be complex and requires careful execution.
Industry watchers also stress that physical production location is only one factor in the broader competitive landscape; skills, innovation, and global market access remain equally important for long‑term success.
In Summary
JETMS’s shift of aircraft interiors production from the UK to Lithuania is a strategic business decision aimed at consolidating manufacturing in a modern, cost‑efficient hub while preserving design and engineering expertise in the UK. This allows the company to better align its operational footprint with growth opportunities, leverage Lithuania’s expanding aerospace capabilities, and remain competitive in a global market driven by demand for cabin interiors and retrofit projects. (Aviation International News)