Global trade body The Air Charter Association has announced that four of its 2025 cohort of interns have recently secured employment with leading member companies, namely Air Charter Service, Chapman Freeborn and FlyerTech, a unit of the Gama Aviation Group.

The ACA Internship programme, established in 2024, supports the development of the next generation of air charter professionals. It provides an opportunity for young people aged 18-25 to access dedicated aviation training and professional experience with industry leading companies. The internship acts as a valuable springboard to gain the knowledge, skills and contacts needed to navigate a challenging employment landscape and start a career in air charter.

Kevin Ducksbury, chairman, The ACA, says: “We launched The ACA Internship programme in 2024 to provide aspiring young aviation professionals with the foundation knowledge and practical experience to start a career in the air charter industry. I am absolutely delighted to see that four of our recent 2025 cohort of interns have secured their first jobs in the industry, and at member companies.”

Maisey Greenhow, commercial executive (passenger), Chapman Freeborn, adds: “I am thoroughly enjoying my first few months in the industry. I am so grateful to The ACA for giving me this opportunity that's ultimately lead to a job at a great company, Chapman Freeborn. I think the experience I gained through The ACA internship has given me a strong foundation for starting my new role. In turn I felt more confident when I started knowing I had that foundational knowledge, especially in an industry that's so specialist.”

Thineth Panagoda, airworthiness officer, FlyerTech, states: “I've really enjoyed my first few months; it's been busy, but in a good way, as it's allowed me to learn a lot about aviation and the engineering side of the industry, while simultaneously being a part of the process. I'm constantly developing my skills, and I'm looking forward to getting involved in a variety of projects. The ACA internship gave me a strong foundation in the air charter industry, especially as I had very limited exposure to it beforehand. The knowledge I gained about both the operational and commercial sides of the industry has allowed me to start my role with greater confidence. The placement week was equally invaluable, as it allowed me to actually experience life within an air charter company and helped me build the connections that ultimately led to the role I'm in today.”

The ACA NextGen Group conducts outreach at schools and universities to promote the internship scheme and the extensive range of career opportunities available in air charter.

Last week The ACA's Next Gen Group also hosted its annual Young Professionals' Networking Evening at the Royal Aeronautical Society, with over 70 air charter professionals in attendance, including several of The ACA's recently hired intern alumnae.

Polling conducted at the event highlighted sustainability was once again considered the most important factor affecting the industry in 2026, as was the case at the 2025 event. The value of The ACA internship was also recognised, with 64 per cent of respondents indicating they would have applied had the internship been available when they were seeking their first industry role and 75 per cent believe it would have made it easier to secure their first job. Of the young professionals present 30 per cent secured their first industry role via an internship, apprenticeship or graduate scheme, which demonstrates the huge value of supporting young people into employment.

Shortlisting for the 2026 internship programme is well underway, and The ACA looks forward to introducing another cohort to the variety of career opportunities the industry can provide.