Specialist charter broker Equinox Charter launches alongside TMC arm to offer 'one-stop shop' for travel needs

• Equinox fills market gap for complete travel solutions, offering both commercial
and private travel
• Start-ups offer bespoke, high-touch services with charter safety at the forefront
• Sustainable charter is a key focus for forward-thinking business

London, UK, 2 November 2021 – New private aircraft provider Equinox Charter has begun operations today, providing complete, global private aircraft chartering solutions with safety at the pinnacle of its offering.
Launching alongside its sister company Equinox Travel, a travel management company (TMC), the two start-ups enable clients to streamline their travel booking process through a rare ‘one-stop shop’ approach for all their travel needs.
Equinox Charter draws on extensive business aviation and music industry experience to offer a unique, highly consultative service – with a focus on the extensive music, touring and entertainment charter market, which is now seeing a strong resurgence.
Industry charter specialist Elliot Bottomley, Managing Director of Equinox Charter, says: “As we head into an exciting period with the return of shows and live events, we cannot wait to get started. “Our new team is more than ready to manage complex itineraries for bands and solo artists, agents, tour managers and film production companies. Working with our sister company, Equinox Travel, allows us to support our clients with their commercial travel needs too.”
Having run ARGUS Certified charter broker Artist Charter in the past, Elliot is keen to ensure flight safety remains very high on the agenda for Equinox. “As part of our commitment to safe air travel and a consistently high quality of service, due diligence will be paramount, and we’ll work only with a network of vetted operators and private aircraft worldwide.”
The new charter broker is now a proud member of both the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA). These memberships are a sign of intent as to how the company hopes to integrate and expand within the business aviation sector. Equinox CEO Ian Patterson says: “Equinox Charter is a unique entrant to business aviation – a solution-based start-up which aims to fill a clear gap in the market. “Nowadays, travel is often fragmented, with many TMCs outsourcing aircraft charter to a third party.
Through both Equinox companies, we are uniquely positioned to deliver a seamless and efficient service to clients with complex travel needs, by offering ultra-competitive pricing and greater flexibility on private aircraft booking, as well as commercial aviation booking, car hire, accommodation needs and more. “We understand the demands and nuances of live touring and film production, from last-minute schedule changes to complex logistical challenges. This is why we’re committed to delivering the bespoke, personal, high-touch travel management solutions our clients not only demand, but also deserve.”
While music and entertainment are at the heart of its operations, Equinox’s senior experts also offer specialist travel support for professional sportspersons and sports agents, as well as facilitating corporate travel and arranging luxury leisure trips.

Unique in being able to offer Equinox clients commercial air travel options when required or necessary, Equinox Charter takes sustainability and environmental concerns seriously, and actively supports clients in making their own efforts in sustainable air travel.
The start-up has published its four-part commitment to sustainable charter, which includes carbon offsetting capabilities, encouraging the use of empty legs, making smarter aircraft and operator choices, as well as smaller, day-to-day measures.
In addition, both Equinox companies strive to accommodate clients’ existing sustainable travel
policies – whether that be selecting air travel options with lower emissions, evaluating hotel choices
based on sustainability factors, or facilitating VIP car transfers with electric vehicles.

Equinox benefits from the expertise of specialists including CEOs Ian Patterson and Glen Duckworth.
The duo is renowned for steering ET Travel Ltd to become a leading TMC in the sector, and later holding joint Chief Operating Officer roles at global travel management company The Appointment Group (TAG).

ENDS
More information can be found at equinox-charter.com and equinox-travel.com.
For media enquiries contact Balint Brunner via Aero PR
on balint@aero-pr.com or +44 74 2314 8828.
Editor’s notes
About Equinox Charter
Equinox Charter Ltd. provides seamless, global private aircraft chartering solutions with a focus on the
music and entertainment industry. Led by music touring expert Elliot Bottomley, the London-based
company offers worldwide access to private jet, turboprop and helicopter aircraft – with a 24/7
consultative service and a commitment to best practice in safety and sustainability. Equinox Charter is a
member of the European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the British Business and General
Aviation Association (BBGA). For more information, visit and equinox-charter.com.
About Equinox Travel
Equinox Travel Ltd. is a music and entertainment specialist travel management company (TMC), founded
in 2021 by former The Appointment Group (TAG) and ET Travel Ltd directors Ian Patterson and Glen
Duckworth. The London-based company provides a bespoke, high-touch and comprehensive travel
management solution, from commercial air travel, through private aviation arrangements to
accommodation services. Alongside live music touring, Equinox Travel offers specialist travel support for
the sports industry, as well as corporate and luxury leisure travellers. For more information, visit equinox-travel.com

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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