In a challenging aviation market The Air Charter Association (ACA) offers a vital network and environment for its operator members to keep safety and service for clients at the highest standards.

A recent example of this saw Air Charter Scotland, a UK-based air charter and aircraft management company, and Maltese and Slovenian AOC operator Elit’Avia collaborate to support the transfer of a UK-registered Embraer Phenom 300 onto the 9H Maltese aircraft registry. As a G-registry operator, Air Charter Scotland supported Elit’Avia with the process of achieving an export certificate of airworthiness in a complex transaction.

“We are very grateful to Air Charter Scotland’s commercial director Derek Thomson and continuing airworthiness manager Richard Rooney who supported us in the communications between the UK CAA and Transport Malta,” says Elit’Avia COO Iain Houseman.

Director business development Gary Whitecunas adds: “As a competitor in the same marketplace it was especially satisfying to collaborate in this way.”

Elit’Avia approached Air Charter Scotland to assist with the process of full research on the aircraft’s records, including inspection and preparation for commercial operations. This was achieved inside three weeks, concluding a very complex administrative situation.

“Aviation is constantly evolving, and we have endured significant disruption to every part of the administrative and management infrastructure we all took for granted,” continues Houseman. “COVID, Brexit, the UK being out of EASA with the requirement for bilateral agreements/permits, and now the growing business and operational impacts of sanctions as a result of the terrible conflict in Ukraine, have created new and complex challenges for every business. Being able to work with very supportive, competent and diligent ACA members such as Air Charter Scotland, who have the same goals of safety and client experience, has shown that collaboration and partnership is essential in a market experiencing considerable turmoil and consolidation.”

Thomson says: “Business aviation is a great enabler, and collaboration, especially among boutique, independent businesses, is an excellent way to drive our dynamic sector forward.”