Air Partner
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| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Founder | Tony Mack |
| Headquarters | 2 City Place, Beehive Ring Road, Gatwick, West Sussex, RH6 0PA United Kingdom |
Key people | Mark Briffa CEO |
| Website | www |
Air Partner Plc is a global aviation services group, the Group is structured into four reporting divisions: Commercial Jet air charter, Private Jet Charter, air freight and Training. The Commercial Jet division charters large airliners to move groups of any size. They also provide remarketing programmes for all types of commercial and corporate aircraft. Air Partner is headquartered alongside Gatwick airport in the United Kingdom. Air Partner has 20 offices across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. The company is publicly listed on the London Stock Exchange as LSE: AIR.
History
Air Partner was launched in 1961 by Tony Mack Snr. Trading as Airways Training, it began as a school for military pilots converting to civilian licences using flight simulators and a fleet of Beagles. It was initially based in the art deco Beehive Terminal, Gatwick’s original terminal with its grass runways, which opened in 1936.[1]
Following the years as a flying school, Air Partner formed an air taxi operation with a fleet of Chieftain, Piper Aztec, 125 and C550 aircraft. At this time the company name was changed to Air London to reflect the change in business focus.
In 1983 Air London decided to move away from the air taxi business and concentrate on aircraft broking. The company remained in the same location and the name was not changed from Air London to Air Partner until the global offices were introduced.
In 2011 the company was voted the best private jet company in Europe by Global Traveler magazine, a monthly, ABC-audited magazine for frequent business and luxury travellers.[2]
Air Partner was also cited as having the "Most Flexible" jet card in an analysis by Conklin & DeDecker in 2017. [3]
In May 2018, Private Jet Card Comparisons named Air Partner's jet card to its list of "Best Jet Cards For Summer Travel." [4]
Air Partner became a PLC in 1995 when they achieved full listing on the London Stock Exchange. On May 30, 2018 the trading of Air Partner shares were suspended due to a delay in restating its accounts after it identified a potential error of more than $4 million in April. The company said its ongoing operations are not impacted and it expects to be able to provide accurate account by mid-June. [5]
Chronology
 | This section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2013) |
1961: Tony Mack Senior founded Airways Training, converting military pilots to civilian flying using flight simulators and a fleet of Beagles.
1960’s/80’s: The years that followed saw expansion into air taxi operations, and Airways Training was renamed Air London.
1983: Air London launches a new concept in aircraft broking.
1989: Air Partner floated on the Unlisted Securities Market, the forerunner to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM).
1994: Overseas expansion begins with the opening of Air Partner France in Paris.
1995: The company achieves full listing on the London Stock Exchange LSE: AIP.
1997: Air Partner opens its first US-based office based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Air Partner opens its second mainland European office in Cologne, Germany.
1998: Specialist freight division launches.
1999: The company name is changed from Air London to Air Partner to reflect the Group’s growing global influence.
Air Partner Travel Consultants is launched. The IATA and ATOL bonded agency organises scheduled flights, limousine hire and accommodation.
2000: Air Partner continues to expand with new offices opening in Austria, and a second US office opens in New York.
2001: 24/7 office-based operations department opens at London Gatwick HQ.
2005: Air Partner opens an office in Italy.
2006: The JetCard membership scheme is unveiled. JetCard offers a wealth of benefits for more regular flyers that delivers value for businesses and individuals.
2007: Air Partner re-brands and launches a new corporate identity, creating two new internal trading boards - Private Jets and Commercial Jets.
2008: Carbon neutral offset options are launched across all flights.
2010: Mark Briffa is appointed as CEO.
Air Partner opens an office in Istanbul, Turkey.
2011: Air Partner celebrates 50 years of business!
UK headquarter moves to a larger premises alongside London Gatwick Airport, opposite The Beehive - Gatwick’s original terminal building with its grass runways, which opened in 1936. The company first began trading here in 1961 and has remained within 1km ever since.
2015: Air Partner acquires Cabot Aviation and Baines Simmons.
2016: Air Partner acquires Clockwork Research.
2017: Air Partner was cited as having the "Most Flexible" jet card in an analysis by Conklin & DeDecker in 2017.
Air Partner acquires SafeSkys.
2018: Air Partner opens a new office in LA.
Private Jet Card Comparisons named Air Partner's JetCard to its list of "Best Jet Cards For Summer Travel."
2019: Air Partner opens new offices in Houston, Singapore and Dubai.
Air Partner acquires Redline.
2020: Air Partner provides vital support throughout the global COVID-19 pandemic, including transporting medical supplies and PPE as well as evacuating over 300 British and EU nationals from Wuhan in the wake of the pandemic.
Air Partner launches Air Partner Protect to safeguard customers against coronavirus.
References
- ^ "Terminals: the last word - News & Advice - Travel". The Independent. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ Krol, Kimberly (1 December 2011). "Global Traveler Announces 8th Annual Reader Survey Award Winners | Global Traveler". Globaltravelerusa.com. Retrieved 28 November 2013.
- ^ https://privatejetcardcomparisons.com/2017/10/12/jet-card-insider-at-air-partner-flexibility-and-guaranteed-rates-for-europe-cis-and-the-middle-east-are-core-strengths/ . Private Jet Card Comparisons
- ^ https://privatejetcardcomparisons.com/2018/05/22/private-jet-card-comparisons-selects-best-jet-cards-for-summer-travel/
- ^ https://privatejetcardcomparisons.com/2018/06/01/jet-card-and-private-jet-charter-seller-air-partner-suspends-shares-on-continued-accounting-woes/