Air Partner celebrates 50 years

Air Partner is 50 this month.  The company
started in 1961 as an air training school, Air Partner (formerly Air London)
now operates from 20 offices worldwide. Air Partner is the only aviation company to hold a
Royal Warrant from HM Queen Elizabeth II (as Supplier of Aircraft Charter).

“We respect our competition.  We may be one of
the biggest charter companies in the world today, but we cannot be complacent,”
chief executive officer Mark Briffa says.  “While service and prestige
have always been important, price is also a key influence in our business as
buyers have become more educated and more sophisticated in their use of private
aviation.  The Internet has given passengers much more control.” 

Briffa attributes much of Air Partner’s success to
its 200-strong workforce.  “Talented individuals, young and old, working
as one team, these experienced individuals are at the forefront of our
business.”   Members of the worldwide Air Partner team speak 31
languages between them, some are fluent in as many as four or five. 
Combined, Air Partner team members have spent more than 1,000 years working for
the company.  Briffa credits Air Partner’s longevity to its dedicated
personnel, the ability to adapt to market needs, a solid financial base and the
company’s global recognition for its high standards of service.

Briffa, who is marking 15 years with the company this
year and has over 20 years’ experience arranging charter flights, cites his own
‘highlights’.  These include Air Partner’s move into freight charters,
fuel reselling and emergency evacuation planning plus and the winning in 2004,
and subsequent retention last December, of the Royal Warrant.

Pleasing for Briffa, who was promoted to chief executive
officer in March 2010 from chief operations officer, is the company’s steadily
improved profitability following its decision to focus on its core charter
broking activity.  Since his appointment, the company’s profitability has
been improving.

Coinciding with the 50 year anniversary, Air Partner
is moving its UK
headquarters to larger premises alongside London Gatwick
Airport in July. 
The building is opposite The Beehive, Gatwick’s original terminal building,
where the company began trading 50 years ago.