Founded in October 2005 by Managing Director Mark Hawkins, an established sports charter specialist with over 30 years’ experience in senior operational roles within the travel and aviation industry, Smart heads into the new year with exciting plans to celebrate this monumental milestone.
We sat down with Mark to discuss the incredible journey the company has been on in the past two decades, the ups and downs and the secrets to continued success in the aviation industry.
What motivated you to set up Smart Aviation?
In 2005, I chartered over 30 aircraft for supporter flights to one of the best ever Champions League finals which took place in Istanbul in May. The charter operation was hugely successful and I made an awful lot of money for the company I was working for. After that I thought, wow, if I could do that working for a company, then what would it be like doing it on my own? That’s when I decided to go it alone – and Smart Aviation was born in October 2005.
What was your original vision for Smart and how has that vision changed over the last 20 years?
My vision right from the start was to make booking an aircraft, whether that’s a full charter, private jet or ACMI, an enjoyable experience for our clients and create respectful relationships with suppliers that would allow the business to flourish. First and foremost, I wanted our clients to enjoy doing business with us, and I still do to this day.
Do you remember the first Smart booking?
I sure do! Around two weeks into starting the business, I chartered a HELLO AG MD90 aircraft, which sadly aren’t flying any more. It was a recovery flight for Kosmar Holidays, who also aren’t around any more, after an airline called Air Scandic stopped flying.
Who were your first clients?
My first were those I had already built relationships with in my previous companies, whom I had already chartered aircraft for and knew well – they trusted me to continue to service their charter requirements and many are still clients of mine to this day.
Where was Smart’s first office?
To start with, I rented a small serviced office from Regus on the High Street in Crawley. When I took on my first staff members, Charlotte and Clive, we moved to Windsor Place in Manor Royal, right next to Gatwick Airport. Charlotte and Clive are still working at Smart Aviation to this day.
What are Smart’s most recognisable successes of the last 20 years?
Since the company started, we have chartered aircraft for supporter flights to every major European football final – that’s hundreds of thousands of passengers to over 60 finals! As a team, we all share a passion for football and to be involved in the team travel and supporter flights for the big fixtures will always feel like a privilege.
What are the biggest challenges Smart has faced in the last 20 years?
COVID-19 was the biggest challenge to face Smart, and the travel industry as a whole, in the last 20 years. Almost overnight, travel stopped and we had to quickly pivot our business strategy. With restrictions in place, we carried on chartering where we could but it was a tough period of time. The financial crisis in 2008 really hit consumer confidence as well, as our clients became a lot more conscious about their spending, so that was also an uncertain time for the business.
What do you think has been the biggest driver to Smart’s success?
I consider my hunger to succeed to be the biggest driver. I like to prove people wrong! The company has proved that you don’t need a global team and an office in lots of countries to succeed. We handle global charters from right here near Gatwick and someone is always available 24-7.
What’s your favourite part of the job?
Training the next generation of brokers and seeing how they develop and evolve at work and in their personal lives is one of my favourite parts of the job, and certainly one of the most rewarding.
What’s been your favourite Smart memory from the last 20 years?
This is a tough one – there have been many good memories. One particular charter stands out though. We arranged a flight on an Air2000 A320 from Gatwick to Jersey for disabled children who lived in the Crawley area. Some had never had the chance to fly before and some didn’t have very much longer to live – it was literally a once in a lifetime experience for them. The joy and satisfaction of that journey was a very special moment that I treasure all these years later.
What are you most proud of from the last 20 years?
I’m most proud of how the business has grown over the last 20 years and how it’s become respected by the industry. To build something from scratch and seeing it grow into a success is extremely rewarding. I’m also proud of the team I have created, the best in the business, and that I have such long standing employees, some of whom have been here since the very beginning.
What’s been the most rewarding part of the last 20 years?
The most rewarding part for me personally is seeing some of our young brokers come up through the ranks and flourish in their roles, and as adults. We have a family feel here at Smart and I like to get to know the team on a personal level.
What does the next 20 years look like for Smart and where do you hope Smart will be in 20 years?
I hope that in 20 years time I will be retired and sitting on a beach somewhere! My daughter has aspirations to come into the business after she’s finished university; she’s going to be studying Travel and Tourism at Liverpool University from Sept 2025. So we’ll see! I also hope we will continue to be the best aviation company out there, still offering the highest quality of service to our clients.
About Smart:
Smart Aviation was founded in 2005 by Managing Director Mark Hawkins, an established sports charter specialist with over 30 years’ experience in senior operational roles within the travel and aviation industry. Previously Hawkins managed sports charters at Excel Airways, which included flying over 4,000 fans to a football final. Over the last 19 years, Smart Aviation has arranged successful charters for leading sport fixtures, transported thousands of passengers on their annual pilgrimages to Lourdes, and flown VIPS on exclusive private jet charters on a weekly basis around the world.
Our business revolves around you
– Exactly what you need
– You’re dealing with the experts. Our goal is excellence in service and execution – our extensive knowledge and expertise ensure we deliver.
Cost effective with no compromise
– Our unrivalled operator relationships and leverage in the European market ensures you get the most cost-effective solution, without compromising on quality.
We are always available
– Our operational support team is on-hand 24/7, 365 days a year, to deal with the unexpected and keep you flying – for total peace of mind.
Call or email us today – sales@smart-aviation.co.uk / + 44 1293 551244
