This website uses cookies
More information
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Why visit ACE ’25?

Related background information from the Handbook...

Smart Aviation

Charter Brokers

BAN's World Gazetteer

U.K.
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

Smart celebrates 20 years in air charter
Smart Aviation has marked two decades of growth, in which it expanded from a small office in Crawley to a global aviation broker.
Mark Hawkins, managing director of Smart Aviation.

Smart Aviation, a UK-based charter broker, has celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. Founded by managing director Mark Hawkins in October 2005, the company began from a modest office on Crawley High Street and has developed into a highly regarded charter broker in the aviation sector.

Over the past two decades, Smart Aviation has transported hundreds of thousands of passengers to major football championship finals and Lourdes, facilitated over 40,000 annual regional flights and brokered substantial ACMI leasing agreements. The company has also flown over a million business and leisure passengers on private jets and helicopters worldwide.

Mark Hawkins, managing director of Smart Aviation, says: “I set up Smart Aviation with one goal; for our clients to enjoy doing business with us, and this is still my main driver every day. I am extremely proud of the company, the team I have built and the phenomenal success we have had since 2005. It's not always been smooth sailing; COVID-19 was a particularly difficult time for the aviation industry, but we bounced back and continue to offer the highest level of service and cost-effective solutions that our clients expect to receive from us. As a company we are trusted, not only by our loyal clients but by our staff, many of whom have been with me since the very beginning. We have welcomed four new members in the last six months due to a period of accelerated growth, so I am excited to see what the next 20 years holds for Smart Aviation. I'd like to thank our loyal suppliers and clients for being such a pivotal part of our history.”

Other News
 
Nunes to lead global ops for Chapman Freeborn
November 17, 2024
Bernardo Nunes will work across Chapman Freeborn, Magma Aviation, Intradco Global and the Arcus Air Group to strengthen cultural, strategic and operational leadership at all levels.
Air Partner hires industry veteran MacLeod
November 13, 2024
Reporting to Clive Chalmers, senior vice president, group charter (UK and ROW), Fiona MacLeod's immediate focus at Air Partner will be driving growth in group charter, where she will leverage her aviation expertise.
ACS runs impressive numbers in Brisbane
November 6, 2024
Air Charter Service opened its Brisbane, Australia office during a tough time for the industry, in the midst of the COVID pandemic. It is however posting excellent figures, with sales reportedly up by 61 per cent.