Chapman Freeborn launches global broker initiative for bizjet market

The service is being launched at EBACE, Europe’s premier business aviation gathering in Geneva this month (20th-23rd May.) 

The company is opening up its global expertise (which includes support services, obtaining over-flight permits, ground handling, fueling, passport and immigration services) to fellow charter brokers, operators, luxury partners, concierges, family offices – indeed anyone who doesn’t immediately have the necessary skillset to plan and prepare when faced with unfamiliar or challenging circumstances handling simple or complex itineraries.   It has been encouraged to formally share its expertise in this way largely in response to demand from the emerging markets for private jet charter - in particular India, Russia, Brazil, Africa and China. 

The company can also assist in a practical way too, calling on its global buying power, its relationships with operators (and airlines worldwide) and its ability to secure good credit terms.  Its 462 staff, resident in 35 offices in 25 countries, are fluent in 50 different languages. 

When partners enter into an agreement with Chapman Freeborn they will be contractually protected too, with a non-compete clause.  Alex Berry, Chapman Freeborn’s Group marketing and sales director insists:  “We are not going to compete with local brokers in local markets for the sake of a couple of hundred dollars, yet this is quite commonplace in the wider industry.”   

Chris Moody, owner of Fractional Jet Europe, has been partnering with Chapman Freeborn these past two years. “Our clients demand the best quality solution possible wherever they fly.  It is important too to work with a broker who respects me as a partner and respects my client relationships.  The team at Chapman Freeborn deliver all this, and more.  Chapman Freeborn respects that my clients’ information is confidential and I can share this with them in confidence.” 

Alex Berry said: “It is important in an industry where there is no regulation, that these small players have somewhere reputable to turn to for advice to help them navigate complex requests when they are out of their comfort zones.” 

A West Coast, US based broker regularly chartering jets out of Van Nuys to Miami for a US client working with a handful of local operators, is likely to be best in class at his work, he says.   However, he will quickly discover a completely different set of challenges tasked with arranging a flight from say Spain to Marrakesh, or Malawi to Peru.  “Time and time again we have seen customers suffer a bad experience because their broker simply didn’t have the local knowledge.  This is where we can make the difference and add value to the broker and most importantly to the customer,” adds Berry. 

Alex Berry 

China for example, Berry notes, likes to charter wide-bodied, long range business jets.  It also has a significant interest in touring groups, and will seek charter travel for international organisations who want to move people into and throughout China.  “It is important to have someone on the ground speaking the right language, understanding the culture and acting as the local interface, more than just simply rep-ping a flight   The role we will play, having been on the ground in China since 2004, is that of ‘go to local partner’ for businesses moving into the region, in all aspects including finance and contracting   From a regulatory perspective too, China is still heavily regulated and that is a process that needs to be understood,” said Berry.

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