Charter flights were up 19% and revenue surged 37% as Air Charter Service saw its top line in Q1 2026 reach $380 million.
Air Charter Service is terming its first-quarter 2026 results “excellent.”
Revenue growth at the privately held company was up 35% year over year.
Q1 2026 revenues surged to $380 million.
The first quarter ended April 30, 2026.
Founder and Chairman Chris Leach said, “We are delighted with our performance, with record results for the first quarter, in all divisions, with overall charters up by 19%, and revenue by 37%.”
He continued, “Removing some of our larger ongoing contracts, which are low value, high volume, and have remained at the same level as last year, our underlying growth is a healthy 13% in private jet charter flights, with revenues up 27%.”
Leach said, “Part of this revenue growth was as a result of securing some higher value contracts, both on larger aircraft and with longer sectors.”
Higher fuel prices also boosted revenues.
Leach noted, “Our group charter division has performed very well, with both charters and revenue up by 40%.”
This was buoyed by evacuation flights out of the Middle East for governments and large multinational companies.
Despite those one-time charters, Leach says “underlying growth is still very strong.”
Cargo charter was the biggest gainer.
Cargo charters saw 70% more charters than the same period last year, with revenues up by 41% year-over-year.
The gains were partly “due to supply chain disruptions caused by the conflict in Iran, as well as the repercussions of Storm Marta and the port closures that it caused in Morocco.”
ACS Leasing, backed by “some large contracts,” eclipsed last year’s full-year revenues in the first quarter.
Time Critical Services enjoyed a 52% increase in contract numbers and a 101% growth in revenue.
That group includes onboard courier and next flight out services.
Leach, however, is concerned about the remainder of 2026.
He says, “Outlook for the rest of the year is uncertain, as the fallout from the Iran conflict and other geopolitical situations means that we are probably in the most uncertain period since Covid, making it impossible to foresee what effects these situations will have on the charter market going forward.”
Leach adds, “Our global footprint, diverse businesses and portfolio of clients does, however, mean that we are well-placed to deal with whatever happens in the coming months.”
Air Charter Service sees 35% revenue growth in Q1 2026
The company is based in London.
It has 40 offices worldwide.
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