Air Partner

What It Is: A  publicly traded global air charter brokerage and safety consultancy, Air Partner PLC arranges transport for private jet travelers. Its passengers have ranged from heads of state to a rescued lion cub. 

How It Grew: Founded by Tony Mack, Sr. in 1961 as Airways Training, the company initially provided advanced flight certifications for ex-military personnel. Airplanes leased for training, including twin-engine Piper Chieftains and Aztecs, were also offered for charter. Demand for air- taxi service soon eclipsed the training business, and the company rebranded as Air London. In 1983 it shifted from being an air-taxi operator to a charter broker, and in 1999 the name was changed to Air Partner, reflecting an international expansion. The company now has offices in some 20 countries worldwide.

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What It Offers: 

On-demand air charter. Business jet charters account for one-third of Air Partner’s revenues; airliner charters for sports teams, government delegations, tour operators, and corporate customers account for 55 percent. The company’s emergency-planning division coordinates client evacuations.

Jet card. The Air Partner JetCard, noted for its flexibility, provides global access to some 7,000 aircraft from vetted operators worldwide. They include jets in every cabin category, as well as turboprops and rotorcraft.  

Consultancy services.Since 2015, Air Partner has acquired safety consultancy Baines Simmons; fatigue risk management firm Clockwork Research; and SafeSkys, an environmental and air traffic control issues specialist.

Notable Achievements: During the Arab Spring of 2011, Air Partner evacuated more than 12,000 people from the Middle East while concurrently rescuing clients affected by earthquakes that hit Japan and New Zealand that same year.

Recent News: Accounting irregularities identified in 2018 resulted in a $1.67 million write-down. Jet Partner opened an office in Los Angeles last June to further expand its U.S. presence. 

FAST FACTS

Founded: 1961

HQ: Gatwick Airport, London

Employees: About 340

Gross Transaction Value (Total amount invoiced; 2017): $336.15 million

CEO: Mark Briffa

Website: airpartner.com