International Air Charter announces 80 per cent growth in regional operations

The announcement was made during its participation at the Dubai Airshow. The London-based service has seen massive regional interest in its air charter services since it opened its Dubai office 3 years ago.

IAC, established in the UK in 1991, now boasts a network of offices spanning the globe, and is showcasing its offerings as a business service that provides surprisingly cost-effective solutions to the contemporary business traveller at Stand E 507, Dubai Aerospace Exhibition.
Commenting on the increase, Hugh Courtenay, Chief Executive, International Air Charter plc, said, "IAC has witnessed an 80 percent increase in operations, and has enjoyed huge support from regional industry players. Our presence here has benefited from close proximity to our clients."

"IAC operates as a broker and sources aircraft as per availability and client requirement. This ensures tailored service for clients based around their itineraries, and ensures efficient time management. Our unique software has been developed over the last few years and allows us to source aircraft based on type, location and client requirement. Needless aircraft waiting and switching is eliminated, massively increasing operational efficiency and resulting in cost savings,"

he added.

The Dubai Aerospace Exhibition 2005 is the ninth international exhibition in the series to be held at Dubai, and looks to build on its tremendous 2003 and 2001 successes to reaffirm its position as premier platform for business development in the air industry. The 2003 instalment of the show drew over 550 exhibitors from 36 countries, and closed the books at US$ 6 billion in business deals over the space of four days.

Once considered a luxury, private aircraft charter is now a necessity for today's corporate traveller. Ad-hoc charter remains the most cost-effective way of travel for difficult to plan journeys involving varied stopovers and multiple destinations, in addition to the customary advantages of convenience, confidentiality and comfort. "By dividing the total cost of the aircraft by the number of seats available, the cost per head can often be surprisingly low," said Elie Abdo, Director of Business Development.

IAC's diverse client portfolio includes multinational brand names such as Mitsubishi, Adidas, American Express, Microsoft Corp, British American Tobacco, Sony, T-mobile, Morgan Stanley, Dreamworks, Credit Suisse and many more. The firm is headquartered in the UK, and has a network of offices in various locations such as London, Frankfurt, Cote d'Azur and Padova, in addition to international offices in Dubai and New York.

IAC has a long line-up of available jet and propeller aircraft, and determines the optimal aircraft type for any given journey, based on the number of passengers travelling as well as flight distance. Its aircraft sourcing technology enables the firm to contact hundreds of aircraft owners in minutes, allowing them to find the most suitable aircraft at the most competitive prices in any given location. The company's portfolio extends to several thousands of aircraft, with a diverse mix of helicopters, business jets, VIP aircraft and even corporate airliners.

"Ad-hoc charter is a highly cost-effective option when making trips with multiple short stops, varied timings and stop-overs. Our charter service is highly client driven, and each trip is tailored exactly as per client requirement to ensure that business travellers may make the most of their time without unwarranted delays," Courtenay concluded.