Up, up and away

An Executive Interview with Air Partner

We hear from Kevin Ducksbury on how private jet travel can save that precious commodity called time.

“Many Air Partner customers are cash-rich but time-poor and time wasted at airports can impact business results”
-Kevin Ducksbury

BM. What is the driving force behind the use of chartered aircraft today and what are the tangible benefits for customers?
Kevin Ducksbury. The key drivers for Air Partner’s business growth are globalisation, an increasing value placed on time, the ongoing deterioration of the scheduled air experience and the unprecedented wealth generated over the last 15 years has increased the customer base for jets. The mass commoditisation of commercial flying and heightened security at airports has enabled private jet charter to offer clients a more practical and efficient way of getting from A to B.

Many Air Partner customers are cash-rich but time-poor and time wasted at airports can impact business results. When you fly private, boarding times are reduced to less than ten minutes and you can arrive at your destination of choice, on a bespoke schedule, having flown with exactly who you want in the cabin with you. Air Partner’s global network of offices and its 225 trained aviation staff ensure that clients’ needs are always catered for – no matter what the location or time.

BM. What’s the state of the chartered aircraft industry in the Middle East – is it a boom region?
KD. The current state of the Middle Eastern charter market is still a buoyant one. In particular the private jet market has seen phenomenal growth over the last three to five years and whilst it still remains to be seen what the true global economic long-term effects will be, all indications are that the region will still see significant growth for 2009 with figures being reported of 15 to 20 percent year on year increase. We are currently seeing many manufacturers and operators moving aircraft from Europe and the US in to the Middle East at the moment in an attempt to capitalise on the opportunities still available in the market which in itself is creating markets and opportunities not seen elsewhere. Naturally, this is good for the charter industry and the aviation sector as a whole. 

BM. Do you foresee the economic downturn affecting business in the Middle East, and the world as a whole? How do you plan to weather the financial storm?
KD. Air Partner plc. performed exceptionally well in the financial year to 31 July 2008, delivering a greater number of successful flights than ever before. One of the drivers of this performance was the group’s broad diversity brought about by Air Partner’s 22 offices spanning the Middle East, Europe, and America, a client base spread across governments, corporates and HNWs and full range of services ranging from commercial jets, private jets, freight and even emergency planning divisions.

However, the business environment clearly changed in the last quarter of 2008, resulting in a total loss of confidence across the wider economy and financial markets. Air Partner has consistently invested in its staff, systems and infrastructures and this discipline will assist the group in providing a client service par excellence during these unprecedented times of economic fragility. Moreover, the global malaise may yet offer established businesses with opportunities within their sector; Air Partner which has a 50-year trading record, sales of UK£250m and a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II, has emerged from previous economic downturns having grown its market positions. 

Kevin Ducksbury is Director of Middle East and Asia for worldwide private aviation provider Air Partner plc. Kevin Ducksbury was appointed Director of Middle East and Asia for Air Partner plc. in August 2008, based in Dubai. Previously, as International Business Development Manager, he supervised the management of the company’s offices in Italy, Spain and Switzerland and was responsible for expanding its core business into new European territories. Ducksbury joined Air Partner in 1998 as a broker in its UK Commercial Jets division and rose through the ranks to be appointed a director in 2007 when he joined the Group Core Trading Board. For more information, see www.airpartner.com.