Hunt & Palmer's commercial aviation team was delighted to facilitate a series of charter flights for South Africa's rugby team this month, enabling the Springboks to get a couple of friendly European matches under their belts ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Their first tournament match starts on Sunday 10 September in Marseille, against Scotland.

“Air charter is always a sensible and smart option to transport elite sports teams owing to the flexibility and convenience,” says director, commercial aviation Simon Edwards. “With private charter, departure and arrival times can be adjusted, even on the day, to suit the team. A chartered aircraft enables all associated kit and equipment, including medical supplies, to be carried in the cabin, along with the team, coaches and physios. Inflight catering is selected to meet dietary needs and preferences, and is delivered fresh to the aircraft steps while the team relaxes in the privacy and comfort of its own cabin."

Time savings are hugely significant too. Commercial flying in Europe is nearly back to 2019 levels, and that's markedly apparent in the regularity of longer, slower queues through security at hub airports. Checking in via an FBO can be achieved inside 30 minutes with sports charters invariably departing from private, dedicated terminals that offer their own, discreet security clearance.

The aircraft arranged by Hunt & Palmer from Signature Flight Support's FBO at London Luton airport to Bastia, Corsica on Saturday, 26 August was a Boeing 737-300 in an all-business 68 seat configuration.

“While there is a recognised shortage of single aisle and wide-bodied aircraft available for ad hoc charter right now, there are a useful number of airliners, adapted to executive fit layout, which are ideal to transport groups of up to 70 passengers,” adds Edwards.