International Air Charter (IAC) has had its emptylegcharter.com website selected as a finalist for Business Travel World Awards 2001 in the category of Business Travel Innovation.

The emptylegcharter.com website – launched in the latter half of 2000 – allows aircraft operators to submit empty leg flights for sale and offer short-term aircraft availability.

Deborah Knips, the most recent addition to the emptylegcharter.com team, has worked in the travel industry for the last four years. The 27-year-old said: “We now have over three hundred aircraft operators registered to the website, who use it as a notice board to display their empty leg flights. We have made the system even easier by offering our assistance in submitting empty leg and aircraft availability on the operator’s behalf.”

The eventual winner of the Business Innovation Award will be announced at a special gala dinner at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Md Hugh Courtenay told EBAN: “I think we have an extremely good chance of winning. Emptylegcharter.com is innovational and ground-breaking in its concept.

“It has been welcomed by aircraft operators and clients alike. Operators increase their revenue and clients can experience corporate aviation at a fraction of the usual cost. Everyone wins.”