Following on from a record 2017, the Freight team at Air Partner has enjoyed a busy and fruitful first half of the financial year, winning cargo mandates from a variety of new and existing customers. As was recently announced in Air Partner’s interim results, Freight gross profit was up 36.4% for the six months ended 31 July 2018.
Air Partner’s 24/7 offering and personalised service have continued to attract clients over the past year and time critical requests are an important segment of the Freight business. Clients that use Air Partner’s Freight services are diverse, from Oil & Gas companies to Charities. Demand from Automotive and Aerospace sectors remains strong, both in charter and on board courier products.
Air Partner’s freight division has continued to grow its global operations. In 2017, the German office moved to larger premises in Cologne to allow for further growth and 2018 has seen the appointment of a new Freight Charter Sales Broker and Sales Manager. Elsewhere, this summer saw the opening of a Los Angeles office and the expansion of the freight team into new office space in Fort Lauderdale. The team in Turkey has also increased in size, following significant business growth last year.
The Freight division has achieved this growth in the face of mounting pressure in the market for charter brokers to change tactics to increase their market share by either working directly with shippers or becoming aircraft operators in their own right. Air Partner, however, remains true to its principles by working solely with freight forwarders. This allows the company to remain neutral, focused on finding the best solution for its clients’ requirements and develop long-term loyalty.