2024 is coming to an end and we’re reflecting on another fantastic year and looking ahead to celebrating our 20th anniversary in 2025.
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, Smart Aviation heads into 2025 with exciting plans to celebrate this monumental milestone.
Here’s a look back at our 2024 highlights, where we celebrate the successes of our skilled and passionate team:
Smart saw 2024 ACMI bookings boom
January and February were busy months for Smart’s ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) leasing team. Historically, ACMI operations reduce as the industry goes into winter scheduling programs but the Smart team saw a substantial increase in ACMI bookings at the beginning of the year.
Smart completed an outstanding Six Nations Charter Operation
Smart successfully completed its phenomenal charter operation in the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship, one of the largest in the company’s 19 year-history. From the first flight on 2nd February 2024, Smart transported nearly 4000 Irish, Scottish and English fans across Europe to the championships. The comprehensive schedule included aircraft charters from Dublin to Marseilles, Birmingham and Manchester to Rome, Edinburgh and Prestwick to Rome, Edinburgh to Dublin, Glasgow to Dublin.
Smart flew over 40,000 worshippers to Lourdes
Between April to October 2024, Smart completed a comprehensive six month long charter service to Lourdes. This was the 19th consecutive year that Smart Aviation had been heavily involved in these annual pilgrimages and the team flew over 40,000 passengers from a variety of regional airports to the universal place of meeting, prayer and celebration of life.
Smart won gold at 2024 Summer Olympics
As the leaders in global sports charters, we are always involved in the Olympics. This year was no different as the team arranged a number from VIP private charters to the 4x100m final in the 2024 Summer Olympics and some team charter flights to Paris too.
Smart celebrated some of the year’s greatest sporting finals
In May, Smart Aviation headed straight to the finals and flew thousands of passengers to the European Rugby Champions Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and Europa Conference League finals.
Smart geared up for Monaco Grand Prix
Also in May, Smart’s VIP charter team managed a number of private jet bookings to the 2024 Formula One Monaco Grand Prix. Amongst the bookings was an eight passenger London to Nice charter, with helicopter transfers to Monte Carlo. This private jet charter was for a world-renowned actor and his family who were going to Monte Carlo and back in a day. They flew on a spacious Embraer Legacy 600 to Nice and then transferred via an AgustaWestland 109 helicopter to Monte Carlo. This client also received the Smart touch with private luxury transfers from the heliport to the VIP yacht race viewing location.
Smart Aviation announced a huge ACMI partnership with Air Arabia Maroc
Back in August Smart Aviation announced an ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) charter partnership between Air Arabia Maroc and charter airline company GetJet Airlines. Air Arabia Maroc, part of Air Arabia group, the largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, contacted Smart Aviation for support following the late delivery of an aircraft. After non-stop negotiations, Smart Aviation successfully secured a Latvia registered Airbus A320 from GetJet Airlines, one of their most trusted airline partners. The first charter departed on Thursday, 1st August 2024.
Smart Aviation appoints Matt Feldon as Head of Charter
In September, Smart announced the appointment of Matt Feldon as Head of Charter. In this newly created role, formed during a period of accelerated company expansion, Feldon returned to Smart to oversee the operation of all commercial and private jet bookings.
Smart’s team expanded during year of growth
The Smart team expanded further, welcoming three new additions to the team during the last half of 2024. Max Cassar and Scott Harding joined Smart Aviation as Trainee Aircraft Charter Brokers, working across both the commercial and private jet departments within the business, and Tom Pillings joined the team as Charter Broker.
Smart flies swarms of PAOK fans to Manchester for Europa League showdown
In November, Smart flew over 500 PAOK fans from Thessaloniki in Greece to Manchester ahead of their Europa League showdown against Manchester United. This was Ruud van Nistelrooy’s first and only European game at the helm of Manchester United as caretaker manager.
As always, we are available 24/7 to assist with any charter enquiries you may have.
The Smart Team wishes you all Happy Holidays and a healthy and prosperous New Year.
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– Exactly what you need
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– Our unrivalled operator relationships and leverage in the European market ensures you get the most cost-effective solution, without compromising on quality.
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Call or email us today – sales@smart-aviation.co.uk / + 44 1293 551244
