Passenger Charter News

December 2004

New office in New York

Due to continuing growth, Air Charter Service Plc were pleased to announce the opening of our new Stateside office in November.

The office, based in Long Beach, NY will be run by Ruan Courtney, who is moving from his position as Cargo Sales Director in London to head up the new operation.

Chris Leach, Group Chairman, said of the new venture, "the USA is a principle market within the aviation industry and as Air Charter Service continues to grow in to a worldwide brand it was essential for us to establish a presence in this key region".

"Americans demand service and are a service orientated culture", Leach continues, "something which sits very well with Air Charter Service's customer service orientated methodology".

For further information contact Ruan Courtney or visit our website at www.aircharterserviceusa.com

November 2004

Passenger Expansion

Our Passenger Department are pleased to announce two new members to the team to assist with the increased demand for VIP, Executive and Sports charters experienced throughout 2004.

Andy Christie joins us from a sales position within the sports industry whilst Carmen Vanegas joins us with an international sales background and fluency in Spanish and French.

Please contact Carmen or Andy for your future charter requirements.

Air Charter Service in harmony

Gavin Copus recently arranged for a Boeing 737-200 to fly a European Philharmonic Orchestra within the United States as part of a two week tour.

Gavin also organised for the 110 strong group to fly to Frankfurt to connect with their transatlantic flight to New York, and then flew them on the next three legs of their tour between Lexington, Kentucky; Kansas City, Kansas; and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

A baggage-free check-in for the flight to Frankfurt was also arranged which enabled the group to check in only 40 minutes before departure and avoid the usual lengthy queues. Once in New York, Air Charter Service arranged for the group to board their aircraft via the executive terminal, again avoiding unnecessary waiting time.

Chartering an aircraft was 25% cheaper per person than flying scheduled service and allowed the group to fly exactly to a schedule which fitted in with their performance times.

Please contact Gavin for more information on orchestra charters

October 2004

Roman Holiday

Twelve members of a Middle Eastern Royal Family recently completed an extended summer tour around Italy, enjoying the retail delights of Milan, Rome and Venice, whilst taking in the spectacular scenery of Olbia in Sardinia.

The group flew on a number of aircraft including a Citation X, Citation Jet, Falcon 900, a Gulfstream IV and a Challenger 604. The Account Manager, who organised the eight flights for the trip, also arranged for a cargo aircraft via our cargo department to fly along side the family to accommodate their designer purchases!

For further information on VIP charters please contact ACS.

Marrakech Express

An event company who were organising a spectacular 40th birthday celebration called Air Charter Service recently to organise the flight to Marrakech, Morocco for the group of party goers. ACS chose a Dornier 328 Jet for the group of 30 and organised a birthday spread of Champagne and white wine to accompany smoked salmon blinis with crème fraîche and caviar. The group enjoyed a weekend in a
7-star resort before returning to London.

Please contact ACS for further information on group travel.

September 2004

La Dolce Vita

An Italian tour operator recently approached Air Charter Service to supply them with an aircraft to take Italian holidaymakers on exclusive trips to Tortoli in southern Sardinia . Gavin Copus, Account Manager, sourced a DASH 8 aircraft, which the tour company chartered for the whole summer - performing six trips a week.

The 50 seat regional aircraft, which has leather seats and serves fine cuisine, means the VIP travellers can avoid the three hour drive from Olbia airport in the north, which is used by larger airliners carrying tourists travelling south.

Which leaves more time for the VIP's to enjoy the finer things in life!

For further information on arranging tour programmes contact Gavin or Penny

August 2004

ACS deserves an Oscar!

Air Charter Service has been at the movies in July, organising many flights for the stars of two Hollywood movies; Bourne Supremacy and Alien vs. Predator.

ACS organised six flights for the actors in Bourne Supremacy, flying its star Matt Damon on a Citation X to various destinations in Europe. His co-star Julia Stiles was also flown to Germany for a re-shoot. Timings were critical as Matt was also filming Oceans Twelve at the same time and Julia was appearing in a West End stage production!

A lightning visit was also organised for Sanaa Lathan the star of Alien vs. Predator when she was required to fly to Prague to re-shoot some scenes whilst starring in a New York Broadway show. Air Charter Service organised a Gulfstream IV to fly the star from New Jersey to Prague and back again within a 48 hour period.

For further information of film logistics please contact Air Charter Service .

ACS Phixx a flight

Pop stars Phixx and Girls Aloud were just two of the bands that ACS flew to the beautiful island of Guernsey recently. Boy band Blazin’ Squad and singing sensation Javine also flew with them from Birmingham to Guernsey for the island’s Summer Wave Festival. ACS chose the 29 seater Jetstream 41 for the flight to Guernsey and the return leg back to London.

Please contact Air Charter Service for further information

July 2004

Czeched out

Although England made an earlier exit then we would have hoped, Air Charter Service were pleased to be part of Euro 2004 until the semi-final stage. Gavin Copus organised a number flights for the Czech Republic Football Association, which transported in the region of 1000 fans to matches in Lisbon
and Oporto. Sadly, our second team was beaten by Greece who were the eventual winners.

For further information on sports charters please contact Gavin.

Banking on ACS

A client who chartered an aircraft with us recently had two specific on board requests; a satellite phone system and a crate of champagne!

The flight was for a CEO of a large Nordic Bank who was flying between press conferences in Sweden and Denmark and needed to make an announcement about a major acquisition whilst mid-air.

Gavin Copus, Passenger Sales Manager, was able to source one of the only Cessna Citation Excel aircraft available with satellite communications, which allows telephone, email and fax data links whilst in the air.

For further information on the Cessna Citation Excel please contact Gavin Copus.

Helicopters to Haiti

Helicopters supplied by Air Charter Service were essential for aid and personnel transportation during the recent floods in Haiti.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) leased a Bell 206L Longranger Helicopter for a three-week period during the crisis, which was essential for transporting key charity personnel to the affected areas such as the remote town of Mapou, where 1500 were feared dead.

In addition, an Mi8 helicopter was leased by the WFP and used to supply vital foodstuffs such as grain and high energy biscuits, fresh water and non food items and medicines to those areas unreachable by road.

For further information on relief work or helicopter charters please contact Gavin Copus

June 2004

Star of the show

A Falcon 900EX was recently the star of the show when it was used during the filming of an episode of one of Channel 4’s top TV shows. The two stars of the hit TV programme were filmed arriving at the aircraft in a Limousine, then a number of scenes were shot in the luxury interior of the aircraft to depict their ‘flight’. The episode will be shown some time in July.

For further information on TV and Film logistics please contact ACS.

Going barmy with ACS!

Air Charter Service recently chartered an aircraft for 250 members of the English Cricket Supporters Club, also know as the ‘Barmy Army’, to fly to Barbados for the 3rd test against the West Indies. The victory against the ‘Windies’ secured our series win 3-0 and was England’s first series win in the Caribbean since 1968!

The group then flew on to Antigua for the 4th test where they saw Brian Lara score his world record innings of 400 n.o.

The Account Manager in charge of organising the charter, was on hand at Gatwick to ensure check-in went smoothly and any issues were dealt with promptly. She then flew with the supporters down to Barbados and met them for the (very happy) flight back home from Antigua.

For more information on sports charters please contact Air Charter Service.

Family fun in France

A fantastic weekend away in the South of France was experienced recently by a family of six who flew in a luxury Hawker 800 for the two hour trip from Biggin Hill to Le Castellet.

Whilst the adults enjoyed VIP catering, with a gorgeous combination of Lobster, Caviar, Salmon and Continental cheeses, the kids on board requested a special meal of pizza and chips! The Account Manager who organised the flight also ensured there was children’s DVD’s and game-boys on board for the in-flight entertainment!

The family were thrilled with the attention to detail and the level of personal service they received and are planning another weekend away in the near future.

For further information on VIP trips please contact ACS

Mad Munsters …

A group of mad Munster fans from Cork recently chartered an aircraft for the Heineken Cup Semi-final in Dublin. The 29 strong group flew on a Jetstream regional turbo prop for the one-hour flight from Cork, enjoying a champagne breakfast for the first leg and a VIP evening meal on board on the way home.

Unfortunately the Munsters lost in the last few minutes of the game to the London Wasps but at least these fans enjoyed VIP service back to Cork, unlike some others that had to endure a five-hour coach journey - and all for less than £200 per person!

Please contact Gavin for more information on sports charters.

When time is critical...

Air Charter Service were the first point of call recently when a patient had to be moved from Abu-Dhabi to London for urgent medical attention at a top London Hospital.

The Account Manager in charge of organising the flight, received a call to move the patient at 11.00am UK time and had an aircraft airborne en route to Abu-Dhabi within 6 hours. The aircraft, a Challenger 604 has been specially converted to carry a full life support system, a Doctor and an ICU Nurse. The aircraft is on constant standby.

If you have an urgent Medivac requirement please contact Air Charter Service.