The Air Charter Association chairman Nick Weston is delighted with the organisation's recent progress.

He starts with a quick look back over the recent Air Charter Expo, ACE19, that beat all attendance records and continues to establish itself as a must attend event.

“The one-day exhibition and conference created by Business Air News and co-organised by The Air Charter Association saw more than 1,100 attendees, 70 exhibitors and over 20 aircraft on the static display. Exhibitors and attendees gathered at London Biggin Hill airport from all around the world to not only showcase their aircraft and services, but also to attend the many varied and informative discussion panels and training sessions. Seminars on the future of broking and the future of operating left standing room only and the association’s newly launched Qualified Broker programme was well received. We look forward to ACE20, which I am sure will once again take Air Charter Expo to new levels,

“Our illegal charter campaign continues to push regulators and ministers to take action. We are pushing for a review of legislation and the sanctions available to the legal system for individuals and companies who break aviation laws. Working alongside EBAA, BBGA and a growing number of other aviation associations in our campaign, we are sending a strong message to regulators, pilots and aircraft owners that illegal charters are damaging our industry, as well as risking lives.

“We are aiming to launch a joined-up campaign, designed to bring awareness not only to the travelling public but also to pilots, ground and airport personnel who may not be aware of the significant risk and exposure to themselves and their families when engaging in an illegal charter flight. For any illegal charter to operate, the passengers and crew of an aircraft must come into contact with a number of parties; airport officials, ground handlers, refuelers and ATC officers. By raising awareness as to what an illegal charter is, we will significantly increase the reporting of suspected illegal charter flights and increase the likelihood of a successful prosecution. We have also been working closely with the travel industry and business and trade organisations to slow the demand for illegal charter by educating the end buyer as to what is a legal, safe, fully insured and licensed flight, and what is illegal.

“Council member Kevin Ducksbury has recently introduced a new and exciting product to our membership and industry with the launch of The Air Charter Podcast. Our podcasts are widely available to listen to via the Association’s website and all leading podcast channels including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and Tune In. The podcasts will be released on a fortnightly basis and will raise awareness on key issues and topics tackled by the Association, as well as featuring news and updates about the charter industry as a whole. The latest episode can be found on the homepage of the Association’s website, www.theaircharterassociation.aero via the podcast player. Earlier episodes can be found at www.theaircharterpodcast.com.

“On 16 October we will be holding our Autumn Lunch and Excellence Awards, a highlight of the industry's calendar, at London’s Guildhall. Once again, we are expecting the event to be a sell-out occasion and we do still have a couple of the ever-popular sponsorship packages available, but they are selling fast. I look forward to welcoming you all to Guildhall.”