Our sports charter team has returned from a successful weekend overseeing flights for the opening round of the mighty Six Nations 2026 rugby tournament.
Using B737-800, A319 and A320 aircraft from our trusted airline operators, we transported just under 4,000 passengers on behalf of our sports tour operator clients – the biggest movement of rugby fans in the first weekend of the Six Nations.
Each year, we play an integral role in supporter travel for the Six Nations competition, ensuring rugby fans can travel on dedicated charter flights to support their nation in each round.
Last week, Irish fans flew to Paris to watch Ireland take on France at the Stade de France on Thursday, while Scottish fans flew to Rome to watch Scotland face Italy at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday. The aircraft for these flights were provided by our longstanding airline partners; Jet2.com, Transavia, Ascend Airways and Volotea.
Members of the Smart Aviation team were positioned at every departure and arrival airport, handling all the operational aspects of the flights on behalf of our clients. All flights operated on time, and we received excellent feedback from passengers on their travel experience.
Charlotte, who oversaw flights from Dublin and Paris, said “I’ve been involved in charter flights for the Six Nations for over 18 years and each year brings something different. The Irish flights are particularly enjoyable to work on, and whilst the result for Ireland this weekend was disappointing, the atmosphere on the return flights was still upbeat, with fans looking forward to the next round at home.”
Mark Hawkins, Managing Director, said “We’re now into our 21st year of providing charter flights for sports tour operations and, even after all this time, our involvement in the Six Nations tournament remains a genuinely rewarding experience for me.
There’s lots more to look forward to in 2026; the remaining rounds of the Six Nations, the later stages of the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, as well as football’s UEFA European competitions and the FIFA World Cup. Being involved in these large-scale sporting operations is a responsibility and a privilege we do not take for granted. Crucially, our experience means that we understand the logistics, the timings, and the pressure that come with tournaments of this size.”
Our expertise in sports travel operations was further cemented in 2025 when Smart Aviation became a Partner Member of i.s.t.a.a. (International Sports Travel Agencies Association), joining a global network dedicated to advancing sports tourism.
