Air Partner Sees Charter Sales Slip

Half-year financial results published on March 25 by charter broker Air Partner confirm the widespread perception that the business aircraft charter sector has taken a big hit from the global financial crisis. The UK-based group’s total sales (also including passenger airliner and freight charters) for the six-month period ending on January 31 were down by 2 percent at £107.1 million ($155.3 million), while profits fell 17 percent to £3.2 million ($4.6 million). However, at the same time, sales by Air Partner’s “Private Jet” division dropped by 6.7 percent to £24.7 million ($35.8 million). The division sustained a loss of £153,000 ($221,850) after recording a profit of £1.03 million ($1.49 million) in the same period last year.