Air Partner: Croatia and Iceland on the road to becoming top automotive industry destinations

Croatia and Iceland on the road to becoming top automotive industry destinations, says Air Partner

Highlights

• Between February 2017 and February 2019, Air Partner arranged over 900 charter flights for automotive customers, flying over 83,000 passengers to over 83 destinations worldwide • Spain most popular destination for automotive events in 2018 • Croatia and Iceland emerging as trend destinations for the automotive industry in 2019/20

Air Partner’s Commercial Jets team has had a busy two years supporting the automotive industry, having flown over 83,000 passengers to 83 destinations worldwide on over 900 flights between February 2017 and February 2019. Businesses involved in the car industry continue to seek out opportunities globally to showcase new products, attend conferences and launch press events, and group charter flights remain integral to these events.

Looking at destination trends over past year, Spain has proved to be the most popular destination for automotive events, as it was in 2017. The combination of the reliable weather, the picturesque landscape and accessibility make it an industry favorite, with Barcelona, Valencia, and Palma De Mallorca the most in-demand. Portugal and the South of France also continue to be popular destinations.

In recent years, Air Partner has seen a particular rise in the popularity of Iceland and Croatia for automotive events. Reykjavík’s state-of-the-art infrastructure, scenic roads and rugged terrain makes it very popular with car manufacturers promoting 4x4s. Meanwhile, Croatia’s pleasant climate, attractive landscape and range of venues has made it increasingly fashionable for automotive customers. Commercial charter is particularly beneficial for travelling to Dubrovnik, Zagreb and Split, as these cities are serviced by less frequent direct scheduled flights, especially in the off-peak months.

Looking ahead to the rest of 2019 and beyond, Air Partner will continue its good work in the sector, with various opportunities on the horizon. Recently, the automotive industry has been increasingly focused on the development of electric vehicles (EVs), with global sales forecast to rise and manufacturers set to produce even more models this year. Whether it’s a car launch, dealer event or press trip to promote electric vehicles, Air Partner is best placed to adapt to the changing requirements of the automotive industry and deliver optimal charter solutions.

Air Partner is highly experienced at dealing with the unique demands of automotive industry events, where time and price efficiency are key: for instance, the ability to fly out members of the press to events in a time-efficient manner ensures a greater turnout at important events. In addition, automotive customers value the convenience and flexibility of chartering, as well as the ability to tailor their travel to suit their needs. Air Partner can even offer its customers various branding opportunities: the company’s ServicePLUS programme offers a range of ways of communicating a customer’s brand when travelling, from customising the headrests onboard to showcasing brand logos on the aircraft exterior.

Jon Cavalli, Trading Manager, UK Commercial Jets Division at Air Partner, commented: “Air Partner has worked closely with the automotive industry for a number of decades now, and we continue to support a range of leading brands, providing a level of flexibility and convenience that scheduled services simply can’t match. We look forward to building on our strong performance from the last two years, and seeing which regions prove most popular for new and existing customers.”

Ends
Enquiries: TB Cardew (Financial PR advisor) 020 7930 0777 Tom Allison 07789 998 020 Alycia MacAskill 07876 222 703
About Air Partner:
Founded in 1961, Air Partner is a global aviation services group that provides worldwide solutions to industry, commerce, governments and private individuals. The Group has two divisions: Charter division, comprising air charter broking and remarketing; and the Consulting & Training division, comprising the aviation safety consultancies, Baines Simmons, Clockwork Research and SafeSkys, as well as Air Partner’s Emergency Planning Division. For reporting purposes, the Group is structured into four divisions: Commercial Jets, Private Jets, Freight (Charter) and Consulting & Training (Baines Simmons, Clockwork Research, SafeSkys and Air Partner’s Emergency Planning Division). The Commercial Jet division charters large airliners to move groups of any size. Air Partner Remarketing, which is within the Commercial Jet division, provides comprehensive remarketing programmes for all types of commercial and corporate aircraft to a wide range of international clients. Private Jets offers the Company’s unique pre-paid JetCard scheme and on-demand charter. Freight charters aircraft of every size to fly almost any cargo anywhere, at any time. Baines Simmons is a world leader in aviation safety consulting specialising in aviation regulation, compliance and safety management. Clockwork Research is a leading fatigue risk management consultancy. SafeSkys is a leading Air Traffic Control and Environmental services provider to UK and International airports. Air Partner is headquartered alongside Gatwick airport in the UK. Air Partner operates 24/7 year-round and has 20 offices globally. Air Partner is listed on the London Stock Exchange (AIR) and is ISO 9001:2015 compliant for commercial airline and private jet solutions worldwide. www.airpartner.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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