Air Partner opens in Turkey and Hong Kong with a freight focus

Tuesday 2nd February, 2010

Air Partner has expanded into Turkey and Hong Kong as part of its on-going geographical growth plans to enter new and emerging markets. The new ventures began trading last month (January) with a focus on developing the company’s freight charter business to meet the needs of a client base which continues to grow, despite the recession.

Air Partner Turkey, located in Istanbul, also offers the international air charter company’s private jet and commercial airliner passenger services.

Dubai-based Kevin Ducksbury, Director Middle East and Asia, commented: “Our office in Turkey fits perfectly with the Air Partner Group’s strategy to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and Asia regions and Istanbul is ideally located as the bridge between our established operations in Europe and our growing ventures in the Middle East.”

Air Partner Turkey is headed up by Serkan Topcu, formerly of cargo logistics company Schenker Logistics in Istanbul, who has been joined by Emir Ozdabak and Gunnes Nomaler, both of whom have strong aviation charter backgrounds.

Commenting on the new Hong Kong operation, Richard Smith, Director of Group Freight, said: “We view Hong Kong as a key air cargo market and our presence there bolsters our existing freight departments in the UK, France, Germany, USA and Middle East.

“In response to a short ‘peak period’ late last year, we operated a series of charters from Hong Kong which further demonstrated there is demand in the region which we aim to capitalise on. Now, we can serve clients with locally-based expertise.”

Air Partner Hong Kong is represented by WAI Asia, a leading Hong Kong GSA. WAI is headed by Keith Lo who will promote Air Partner’s freight business throughout the region.

Email addresses are: hongkong@airpartner.com and turkey@airpartner.com.
Air Partner Freight charters aircraft of every size, from Learjets to the giant Antonov 225 freighter, to fly cargo anywhere, at any time, whatever its weight, size or shape.

Serving governments, leading industrial shippers and relief and humanitarian organisations, the freight team provides bespoke air charter solutions in response to a wide range of cargo charter needs. From urgent ‘go now’ requirements moving small quantities of automotive spare parts between plants through to the most complex project cargo shipments taking several months to plan, Air Partner Freight has the skills, experience and expertise to ensure shipments are handled securely and reliably.

London-based Air Partner Freight’s cargo specialists across the company’s worldwide office network provide strength of knowledge by utilising regional carriers for tailored charter services.

About Air Partner

Air Partner is a world-class provider of aviation services to industry, commerce, governments and individuals worldwide. The company has earned global recognition as a leading aircraft charter broker and organises ad hoc charters of aircraft of every size for any reason. Its three main divisions, supported by a host of support teams, comprise Air Partner Commercial Jets, Air Partner Private Jets and Air Partner Freight. The Commercial Jets division charters large airliners with 20 to 500 seats for groups of every size. Private Jets offers the full range of private jet products and services including the company’s unique pre-paid JetCard scheme, on-demand charter and management of Europe’s largest fleet of modern Learjets. With its headquarters in the UK, Air Partner operates 24/7 year-round with over 20 offices spanning Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North America. The Group was formed nearly 50 years ago, is fully listed on the London Stock Exchange, is debt free and had £16.1m net cash at the end of the financial year to 31 July. Air Partner’s expertise at providing unsurpassed private flying experiences at the best price is summed up by one fact: it is the only company in the aviation industry to hold a Royal Warrant, a globally recognised mark of excellence. The honour, as Supplier of Aircraft Charter to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, was granted in 2004.

www.airpartner.com