When Auguste Bajorunaite first stepped aboard a commercial jet in uniform, she wasn’t inspecting bolts or calculating maintenance turnaround times—she was pouring champagne at 38,000 feet. But life in aviation, like any long-haul flight, has a few unexpected stopovers. She’s swapped the trolley for technical specs these days, leading sales operations for FL Technics, one of the world’s heavyweight aircraft maintenance providers. And she loves every minute of it.

Auguste’s career is a textbook case of how passion, precision and a well-timed pivot can transform a sky-high dream into grounded success—with turbines still whirring in the background.

“I Didn’t Dream of It—I Just Jumped In”

“I wasn’t one of those kids who dreamt of flying,” Auguste admits with disarming honesty. “It started with a job ad from Emirates. I applied, got the job, and suddenly I was travelling the globe.”

And what a globe-trot it was. Over five whirlwind years with Emirates, Auguste crisscrossed continents, immersed herself in foreign cultures, and served more high-flyers than a Qantas Club lounge on Grand Final weekend.

“But eventually,” she reflects, “I knew it was time to come back down to earth—though not out of aviation.”

That realisation steered her into the world of aviation management studies at Lithuania’s Kazimieras Simonavicius University, where flexible remote learning kept her grounded—academically, that is—while she mapped her next ascent.

Enter FL Technics: Behind the Velvet Curtain of Aviation

Anyone who’s ever marvelled at how aircraft glide across the heavens seldom spares a thought for the hours of mechanical elbow grease beneath the wings. But when Auguste joined FL Technics, the backstage curtain lifted.

“From the cabin aisle, aviation seems magical—people, places, excitement. But at FL Technics, I was introduced to a technical world I never saw before,” she explains.

Suddenly, her aviation universe expanded to include words like ‘line maintenance’, ‘AOG’, and ‘turnaround time’. These weren’t just buzzwords—they were make-or-break moments in the operational theatre of commercial flight.

“Every minute an aircraft is grounded isn’t just a delay—it’s money down the drain. Airlines can’t afford dead time.”

She discovered that FL Technics thrives in this area: keeping aircraft flying safely, swiftly, and economically.

The Engine Room of Aviation—and the Real MVPs

Ask her to pick a favourite part of an aircraft, and she doesn’t hesitate: “The engine. It’s awe-inspiring—so many components working in harmony to lift something that weighs hundreds of tonnes.”

But she’s just as quick to praise the engineers.

“They’re the unsung heroes of aviation. Without them, planes don’t fly. It’s that simple.”

And that reverence isn’t just lip service. As senior Sales Manager for line Maintenance, Auguste works shoulder to shoulder with engineers to deliver maintenance solutions to global clients—with no room for error.

“It’s a high-pressure environment. You have to make fast decisions, but the work itself requires precision. It’s a balancing act between speed and safety.”

Fast-Paced, Frenetic—and Never Boring

There’s no such thing as a “typical day” in Auguste’s calendar. And frankly, she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“One day it’s meetings and project estimates. The next, it’s an AOG—Aircraft on Ground—emergency that needs resolution within hours.”

Sometimes that crisis lands at 5 PM on a Friday. “Of course it does,” she laughs. “That’s aviation. It has a wicked sense of timing.”

Yet, amidst the chaos, there’s the glamour of a different sort: client visits, trade shows, and travel. “These moments allow you to see the industry up close, to talk, to listen. You build real trust—not just send emails into the void.”

The Skills That Count—and the People Who Matter

So what does it take to succeed in a role like hers?

“Self-discipline and prioritisation are crucial. You’re juggling a dozen things at once. You also need razor-sharp observation skills and communication that’s clear and confident.”

And patience? Absolutely. Relationships in aviation sales aren’t built overnight. “Trust is earned by showing up—again and again—with solutions that work.”

That ethos, she says, runs through FL Technics.

“It’s a company that backs its people. Management don’t just issue tasks—they support you, push you, and celebrate your wins.”

She’s already recruited several friends into the fold. “That’s probably the most honest endorsement I can offer.”

MRO Industry: Soaring Skyward—But with Challenges

Looking outward, Auguste sees blue skies ahead for the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector.

“Passenger numbers are surging again, older aircraft are flying longer, and airlines are pushing for peak efficiency.”

All this means one thing: more maintenance work. Globally, the MRO industry is forecast to grow by 3–5% annually. That’s a lot of nuts, bolts and brake pads.

But growth brings competition.

“New players are entering the market, so we have to be faster, better, and more cost-effective.”

More critically, the talent pipeline is tightening.

“There’s a global shortage of qualified engineers. Without them, you can’t maintain quality or safety. That’s why attracting and retaining skilled staff is our top priority.”

The Airport That Stole Her Heart

Out of all the terminals she’s passed through, one remains etched in her memory: Koh Samui Airport, Thailand.

“It’s open-air. There’s no stress, no queues—it’s like your holiday starts the second you land.”

Forget sterile gates and security checkpoints. Koh Samui offers a tropical welcome, with grassy spots where you can sit and watch the jets glide. “It doesn’t feel like an airport—it feels like a resort.”

And that, perhaps, sums up Auguste’s entire aviation philosophy: it’s not just about destinations, but how you get there—and who keeps you in the sky along the way.

By Susan Ng

=====================================