London-based Aviation Charter, DBA Artist Charter, has attained ARGUS Certified Broker status. Director Elliot Bottomley says it is an important distinction for this small, independent, growing business.

The ARGUS standard was developed as a respected means by which aircraft charter brokers can demonstrate that they adhere to the highest operational and safety standards. Charter brokerage is a vastly unregulated sector of the business aviation industry today. No licence, official qualifications or training are required to set up shop. Without legal requirements, the sector is exposed to unethical practice, poor standards and creates an unstable commercial environment where rogue brokers can take advantage of ill-informed customers. That is why official recognition was so important to Aviation Charter. With the ARGUS official stamp, customers can make evidence-based purchasing decisions knowing that the company has reached certain standards and, significantly, is providing safe, efficient, secure aviation transportation at a fair price.

“The ARGUS programme allows us a globally recognised and respected mechanism with which to inform our clients of the high operating standards we adhere to. Our accreditation affirms our commitment to air charter safety and best practices and so by working with us, passengers can feel safe in the knowledge that due diligence has been carried out before they board their aircraft,” says Bottomley.

ARGUS Certified brokers are evaluated on many standards of excellence including aviation knowledge, brokering experience, industry rules compliance, legal and ethical business practice, regulations knowledge, fiscal integrity and appropriate transparency through the transaction process. Most importantly perhaps, ARGUS assesses the procedures Aviation Charter puts in place to ensure passenger safety and security, due diligence undertaken surrounding aircraft and operator selection and due diligence procedures carried out pre and during charter performance. As an ARGUS Certified broker, Aviation Charter has been officially evaluated against the 10 standards of excellence ARGUS adheres to for auditing purposes, and now appears in the ARGUS CHEQ registry.

Potential charter customers can pick a supplier from the directory with the confidence that the broker is conducting business to the highest levels. For customers who pay significant sums for charter services this is a valuable resource.

Chairman of BACA - the Air Charter Association Nick Weston says: “The ARGUS charter broker programme confirms that a charter broker is a legitimate business entity, understands and adheres to industry best practices and is committed to the utmost in safety and service-oriented charter operations. This all translates into the confidence that charter customers and commercial aircraft operators are looking for when choosing an air charter broker. The programme is endorsed by BACA and serves as a commitment for professional charter brokers to abide by its industry recognised code of conduct. Charter brokers demonstrate their compliance with industry best practices following a successful audit with ARGUS.”