Smart Aviation’s Daniel Parker and Jamie Milsom at WTM with Marko Bankovic, ETF Airways

14 November 2022: The Smart team headed back to ExCel London last week for World Travel Market 2022. Attendance at WTM 2021 was somewhat limited due to government Covid restrictions but this year Mark Hawkins (Managing Director), Daniel Parker (Head of Charter Flight Operations & Airline Leasing) and Jamie Milsom (ACMI and Operations Support Assistant) went to the leading international travel show with schedules packed full of meetings with both suppliers and clients.

WTM is definitely back in business and the team reported a considerable aviation contingent at the show. Since the team has returned, they are already busy dealing with leasing and charter requests, all directly related to meetings in person at the show. 

Daniel Parker said: “There was so much positivity at the show this year, which was so wonderful to see. There were definitely a lot more attendees than last year and it was really beneficial for us. Our long-term relationships are so important to us and you can’t beat face-to-face meetings.”

Jamie Milsom said: “This was my first WTM and I enjoyed it immensely. It was great exposure for me to meet with key clients, directors and stakeholders. I observed key insights on how 2022 has been for our suppliers and what their plans are for next year. I can now see just how valuable the show is for Smart from all the leads that have come from it straight away. I’m already looking forward to attending next year”.

The team enjoyed hearing about exciting developments for the aviation industry coming in 2023, such as the new Icelandair VIP unit, a 757 aircraft with an 80 seat business style configuration, and the next generation of aircraft types joining our client of supplier fleets, which will include the Boeing 738 MAX and Airbus A320/A321 neos.

Mark Hawkins said: “It was great to have some of the team back at the show this year and for it to have been a productive time for us all once more. There was so much good news, not just from the airlines but from the tour operators too. Most we met with are reporting a buoyant 2022 and even better forward bookings for 2023. It is apparent the aviation industry is rapidly recovering, perhaps even quicker than anticipated.”

Smart Aviation was founded in 2005 by Managing Director Mark Hawkins, an established sports charter specialist with over 30 years’ experience in senior operational roles within the travel and aviation industry, including managing sports charters at Excel Airways. Over the last 17 years, Mark has led Smart Aviation to become the leaders in global sports chartering. Mark is still very active in sports chartering, frequently providing air travel for global sports teams to key sporting fixtures including Champions League and Premier League football matches, as well as to ice-hockey, boxing, basketball, golf, motorsport and cricket tournaments.

Call or email us with your charter enquiry: sales@smart-aviation.co.uk / + 44 1293 551244

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