Story ID: 
ACA Sees Membership Applications Soar 
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: The Air Charter Association said challenges brought on by Covid-19 and Brexit are driving up the number of membership applications.
Word Count: 187
Nearly two months into the new year, the Air Charter Association (ACA) is reporting a record number of new member applications—70 percent more than the same year-to-date period in 2020—driven by effects from the Covid-19 pandemic and challenges arising from Brexit. Membership applications have come from the U.S., Italy, Luxembourg, and the UK. ACA also has approved its first member from the country of Georgia.

ACA chief executive Glenn Hogben said air charter companies are needing support and guidance like never before—not only to face the challenges of the pandemic and Brexit’s effect on European Union-UK operations, but also because of increased regulation and best-practice considerations.

“Providing our members with updates and advice on the key industry issues has never been more vital,” Hogben added. “The ongoing EU-UK operating issues have not solely affected the European business aviation market but the entire global air charter market. We are working closely with other trade leaders and stakeholders to find the best route out of the current situation, and our team works every day to help steer our members through.”