Press Release
Issued by .
October 19, 2012
Two travel businesses that have defied the recession to expand are collaborating to take things to the next level. Executive charter carrier Cello Aviation and mini bus operator AFJ Travel are working together from their bases in Birmingham. Cello Aviation counts sports teams, recording artists, corporate businesses and royalty amongst its clients. The business that operates throughout Europe has found bookings more than double in the past year despite the recession.
AFJ Travel has seen similar growth and is now adding aircrew transfers to its business. It already has the international Dutch carrier KLM and Brussels Airlines on its books. "We use a luxury 16 seat bus to transport crew between Birmingham Airport and wherever they are staying," said Trevor Wood, a managing director of the business that has grown from a single bus operation to a fleet of 30 vehicles.
"Airlines are an important target market. We began 10 years ago providing hotel transfers but now also provide corporate services, medical transfers as well as parties and special events all over the country, recently working for one of the UK's top street dance troupes 'Diversity' winner's of Britain's Got Talent 2009.
But the business does more than provide transport; it also converts and fits out mini buses so that they are tailored to the work in hand. Some of the buses have stretchers, others special wheelchair and disabled access whilst its 16 seat vip vehicle was converted and fitted out by AFJ Travel to provide the comfort and style expected by its clients.
"We prefer to fit out a vehicle to meet a specific need rather than buy off the shelf. Air crew need to arrive for their flight on time, relaxed and ready for work," added Trevor Wood. Vince Essex, commercial manager with Cello Aviation said that the business had a commitment to working with local suppliers whenever practicable.
"Our gourmet food is provided by a Solihull based company using local produce whenever practicable, our crew uniforms have been sourced from a Birmingham tailor, we have a partnership with a Black Country limousine business and shall be working with AFJ Travel," he said. "However we only work with suppliers that meet the kind of standards that would be expected of a carrier whose passengers have included The Queen."
