Air Partner PLC
Air Partner plc is a provider of private aviation services, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011[1]. In 1961 it started out as an air training school[2]. Today, Air Partner organizes over 15,000 flights per year airliner, private jet and freight charters for industry, commerce, governments and individuals in 16 countries spanning three continents. Clients include six of the G8 group of governments, the UN, EU, NATO, leading NGOs such as the Red Cross and royal families. Air Partner is the only aviation company to hold a Royal Warrant from HM Queen Elizabeth II[3] (as Supplier of Aircraft Charter).
History
Air Partner launched in 1961[1]. It was initially based in the art deco Beehive Terminal, Gatwick’s original terminal with its grass runways. Trading as Airways Training, it began as a school for military pilots converting to civilian flying using flight simulators and a fleet of Beagles[4]. The company then formed an air taxi operation with a fleet of Chieftan, Piper Aztec, 125 and C550 aircraft and changed its name to Air London. The decision to concentrate on aircraft broking was made in 1983.
Chronology
- 1989, Air Partner floated on the Unlisted Securities Market, the forerunner to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM)
- 1994, Overseas expansion begins with the opening of Air Partner France in Paris. The Sub-charter division is launched.
- 1995, Company achieves full listing on the London Stock Exchange LSE: AIP.
- 1996, Air Partner unveils the CharterPLUS guarantee programme CharterPLUS, it includes $100 million third party liability insurance cover and aircraft failure protection.
- 1997
- Air Partner opens its first US based offices based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Air Partner opens its second mainland European office in Cologne, Germany.
- Managing Director David Savile is appointed CEO.
- 1998, Air partner launches a specialist Freight division.
- 1999
- Company name is changed from Air London to Air Partner.
- Air Partner Travel Consultants is launched. The IATA and ATOL bonded agency organises scheduled flights, limousine hire and accommodation.
- 2000, Air Partner enters Switzerland and Austria with offices in Zurich and Vienna, a second US office opens in New York.
- 2001
- 24/7 office-based operations department opens at London Gatwick HQ.
- Emergency Planning is the new name for Rapid Air Support, the corporate pre-planned emergency air evacuation service launched in 2000.
- 2002, Air Partner opens offices in Dubai and a third US office opens in Washington DC.
- 2003, The first Far East Air Partner office opens in Singapore covering the Pacific Rim.
- 2004
- Air Partner opens offices in New Delhi.
- Air Partner Launches the Jet Membership Programme.
- Royal Warrant awarded as Supplier of Aircraft Charter to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.[3]
- 2005, Air Partner opens offices in Japan and Italy and opens a West Coast USA office in San Francisco, its fourth in North America.
- 2006
- Air Partner makes a £4.4m purchase of London-based private jet operator and aircraft management and maintenance company Gold Air International. Gold Air ceases to exist as a trading name.
- The JetCard membership scheme is unveiled, superseding the Jet Membership Programme launched in 2004.
- 2007
- Air Partner re-brands, launches a new corporate identity and creates two new internal trading boards - Private Jets and Commercial Jets.
- Air Partner opens offices in Malmő, Sweden, and opens a Benelux operation in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
- Air Partner offers an aviation emission offset service called CarbonNeutral JetCard.
- 2008
- January sees the arrival of a Learjet 40XR into the Air Partner fleet of six managed Learjet 45s, the largest fleet of this type in Europe.
- Air Partner’s Royal Warrant is renewed until Winter 2014.[3]
- Carbon neutral offset options are launched across all flights.
- 2009, Fuel broking division re-selling Jet A-1 kerosene is launched.
- 2010, Air Partner opens an office in Istanbul, Turkey[5], and establishes a freight partnership in Hong Kong.
References
External links