Air Charter Service says it has already been busy with evacuation flights, with some flyers heading to nearby destinations to save costs.
Air Charter Service has initiated its emergency response plan with the escalating U.S.-Iran conflict and is on a rapid evacuation footing, CMO James Leach tells Private Jet Card Comparisons.
He says, “Our UAE and Saudi Arabia-based teams are safe and are working on ground and air solutions for evacuations.”
Leach continues, “They have been extremely valuable in terms of local airport and operator knowledge.”
Beyond private jet charters, Air Charter Service specializes in group, cargo, and special mission charter flights.
The company has 40 offices worldwide.
Last week, the London-based company reported annual revenues had surged 10.3% to $1.34 billion.
Leach says, “Existing flights to airports in closed airspace were cancelled or diverted,” adding, “The air corridor through Saudi Arabia has meant that re-routing has not been too much of a problem for most flights passing over the region.”
Leach notes, “We have already performed a number of evacuation flights for people stranded in the UAE, with customers travelling overland between the UAE and Oman to reach Muscat, which is still operating, before flying out of the region.”
With high demand and restrictions, charter prices are surging.
“Due to demand and increased positioning required, prices are rising, but people are flying to nearby locations such as Istanbul to then catch scheduled flights to their final destination to reduce costs,” Leach says.
Leach says”
‘Our position is that whilst this situation may hopefully be resolved soon with a rapid de-escalation, the worst case is that it lasts for weeks or months. In such a scenario, there would be over a million tourists and foreign nationals there on business in the region wanting to leave, and each day that goes by will mean airport congestion will increase for those airports that are open. Whilst attacks continue, airports in affected countries will either remain closed or will open only for short periods to allow some aircraft to leave.’
Issues include not only disruptions to airline flights but also a growing backlog of demand.
He says, “Having been involved in a number of large evacuations over the years, the backlog of people looking to get home as planned, along with a backlog of cargo flights, will mean that speed is the key to avoid the risk of being stranded for a significant period.”
Leach advises, “With a rapidly changing situation, people on the ground should listen to any government advice in terms of travel, and be prepared to react to the rapidly changing situation.”
READ: Lawyers weigh in on U.S.-Iran conflict impact for private jet flyers
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