Equinox Charter earns ARGUS Certification

The UK-based global charter provider demonstrated full compliance through an on-site audit against a demanding set of standards.

London, UK, 14 February 2023 – Aircraft charter organisation Equinox Charter has earned ARGUS Certified Charter Broker rating.

ARGUS, The Air Charter Association endorsed accreditation, aims to raise the bar when it comes to the standard of safety and service provided to charter users.

From its inception in 2021, Equinox Charter has been established with a big company mentality, developing a vision focused on conviction, integrity, and acting in accordance with the very best industry-wide practices, in alignment with company values. The company has constantly chosen to prove its commitment to the highest standards, which is a key differentiator in a sector exposed to unethical practices due to a lack of legal requirements or qualifications to offer services.

The ARGUS Certification ensures Equinox Charter follows the correct procedures in risk mitigation and due diligence, whether for operators, their crew, or surrounding any specific charter mission.

“We are thrilled at Equinox Charter to have achieved ARGUS Certified status. This accreditation goes beyond just a mark, it is proof that the way we conduct business on behalf of our clients is of the highest standards. We may be a small organisation, however we’re big on service and charter safety will always remain our top priority as we look forward to continuing to serve our diverse pool of clients”, stated Elliot Bottomley, Managing Director of Equinox Charter.

“The ARGUS Certified Broker program was designed to identify and promote leaders in the Air Charter Broker Industry,” said Ed Wandall, Vice President at ARGUS International, Inc. “We certainly found that with the Equinox Charter team. During our on-site audit, Equinox displayed deep industry knowledge, care for the environment and a robust due diligence program designed to pair quality flight providers with their discriminating clientele. We are honored to award them ARGUS Certified Broker Status.”

To achieve ARGUS Certified status, Equinox Charter had to undergo a thorough face-to-face onsite audit carried out by ARGUS, of company data, documentation, and practices in three key areas: Organisation and management, brokerage operations, and customer considerations.Furthermore, for initial certification consideration and as part of the ARGUS Registration process, companies need to have an approved and fully functioning Operations Manual. Here, the team needs to demonstrate exactly how internal bookings and operations procedures work. The certification process also requires demonstrating how brokers mitigate risk, problem-solve, and have a comprehensive training plan in place.

“Part of our job is to provide our clients with assurance – when a client comes to us for an aircraft, they want to feel safe in the knowledge that we know what we are doing and are providing safe, reputable, and reliable options. If an operator has not been used before, our clients need to know appropriate checks are conducted accordingly”, said Bottomley.

ARGUS has a rating system for operators, which demonstrates their adherence to an internationally recognised standard while indicating performance compared to competitors. Ratings have three levels — Gold, Gold Plus, and Platinum. Equinox Charter use them, alongside those of Wyvern and IS-BAO to ensure safety standards are met and operators can be recommended comparatively.

Kevin Ducksbury, Chairman, The Air Charter Association, stated, “members of The Air Charter Association agree to abide by our Code of Practice, which has been incorporated into the ARGUS broker programmes. We are delighted to see members further committed to demonstrate their professionalism and best practices by undertaking the audit process with ARGUS.”

He added, “The Air Charter Association, of which Equinox Charter is an active member, continuously pushes for safe and legal charter. Saturday 21^st January marked the second ‘Fly Legal Day’, a campaign established in 2022 as part of a drive to stop illegal charters, still a huge problem for the private aviation industry. ARGUS accreditation supports a commitment to provide safe and legal operators only.”

About Equinox Charter
Equinox Charter Ltd. provides seamless, global private aircraft chartering solutions. Led by Managing Director Elliot Bottomley, the London-based company offers worldwide access to private jet, turboprop and helicopter aircraft, with a commitment to best practice in safety and sustainability. Equinox Charter is a member of the The Air Charter Association, European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) and the British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA). It is proudly ARGUS Certified. For more information, visit equinox-charter.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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