UK sports charter specialist Smart Aviation is reporting a 52 per cent year on year increase in commercial and private jet bookings compared to July 2020. The figures from July 2021 bookings are positive indicators that the aviation charter industry is on the road to recovery following the grounding caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smart's July 2021 commercial charter operation was dominated by flights for media and VIP guests from different countries to the Euro 2020 Championships, the pre-qualifying rounds of the Champions League and the Europa Conference League, all taking place across Europe.

Substantial growth was noted in the number of private jet charter bookings this month because of the UK government's travel restrictions easing. The number of enquiries from first time private jet users surged, highlighting the new demand for this personalised style of stress-free travel. Popular destinations for Smart clients in July included Ibiza, Mallorca and Greece.

July has also seen Smart Aviation welcome 20 new separate ACMI ad hoc contracts, and three short term leases have been signed. Current ACMI clients have returned to Smart, as they have done for the last 16 years.

Founded in 2005 by MD Mark Hawkins, Smart Aviation has overseen key sporting fixtures around the world including Champions League and Premier League football matches, as well as ice hockey, boxing, basketball, golf and motorsport.

Hawkins says: “We enjoyed great success with our charter flights for the Euros, and as global sport charter specialists we are very easily able to charter flights for travellers from different countries too. We have a reputation for offering the highest level of service in aircraft chartering, and that's why a lot of sports teams and official supporter groups rely on our expertise to ensure both players and fans get to where they need to be promptly, comfortably and safely. This is our strength and we played to it. Now travel restrictions are slowly lifting, we are optimistic for the future and are looking forward to the next few months when sporting fans will again be able to travel to games with us once more.”