Global air charter broker Smart Aviation is marking its 20th anniversary this year. Over the past two decades, the company has flown thousands of passengers to major football championship finals, organized pilgrimages for passengers annually to Lourdes, and brokered aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) leasing agreements. Additionally, Smart Aviation has transported more than a million business and leisure passengers on private jets and helicopters worldwide.
Established in October 2005, the company was founded by managing director Mark Hawkins, a veteran in sports charter operations with over three decades of experience in the travel and aviation sectors. “As a company, we are trusted, not only by our loyal clients but by our staff, many of whom have been with me since the very beginning. We have welcomed four new members in the last six months due to a period of accelerated growth, so I am excited to see what the next 20 years holds for Smart Aviation,” he said.
In 2024, Smart Aviation experienced a surge in ACMI bookings during January and February, defying seasonal trends typically seen during the winter scheduling period. The company successfully executed a major charter operation for the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship, transporting nearly 4,000 fans across Europe.
Between April and October, Smart completed its 19th consecutive year of charter services to Lourdes, flying over 40,000 worshippers. During the 2024 Summer Olympics, Smart facilitated VIP and team charter flights to Paris. In May, the company supported fans traveling to major sporting finals, including the European Rugby Champions Cup and UEFA tournaments. Its VIP charter team also managed exclusive private jet bookings for the Monaco Grand Prix, including luxury transfers for high-profile clients.
In August, Smart brokered a significant ACMI partnership between Air Arabia Maroc and GetJet Airlines, securing a Latvia-registered Airbus A320 to address the late delivery of an aircraft. The year also saw the appointment of Matt Feldon as head of charter, a new position.
Reflecting on the company’s journey, Hawkins noted the challenges faced during the Covid pandemic, a difficult period for the aviation industry. “[It] was a particularly difficult time for the aviation industry, but we bounced back and continue to offer the highest level of service and cost-effective solutions that our clients expect to receive from us,” he said.