17 October 2022: ACMI leasing (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) is one of the key foundations and a cornerstone of any aircraft chartering business. Smart Aviation, one of the leading providers in global aircraft and private jet charterings, has today announced that 2022 has been one of the most profitable years to date for ACMI leasing operations in the company’s 17-year history.

ACMI operations usually tend to slow down towards the end of September, when the industry goes into winter scheduling programs and airlines reduce the number of departures for the season, providing them with spare capacity in their own network for both crew and aircraft. 

This October there is an unprecedented demand for ACMI, with requirements coming into Smart HQ thick and fast. Why? Well, firstly, during the pandemic, airlines unfortunately had to reduce their crew size. These crew shortages combined with crew strikes and absences, meant that the need for adhoc and longer term ACMI leases were required to step in to help airlines recover operationally. 

Many airlines have also pushed back some maintenance tasks on their aircrafts as late as possible, as they strive to get back to pre-Covid operation levels. This means they have more aircraft on the ground unable to fly after a very productive but heavy operational summer season.

Some airlines, however, are now in a position to be able to rejuvenate their fleets, choosing to phase out older aircrafts such as A320 and A321. Whilst this phased process is happening, they are eagerly awaiting the arrival of new aircrafts, delayed due to knock-on effects of the pandemic and staffing issues. Aircraft manufacturers just cannot release the planes quick enough right now.

Less crew on payroll and less planes in the air means airlines have heavily relied on ACMI specialists Smart Aviation to bridge the gap. 

Smart Aviation’s Head of ACMI, Daniel Parker, said: “2022 has been the best year of my career and a very strong ACMI year for Smart Aviation, and it’s only October. The demand for ACMI has been through the roof recently as we are easily able to offer straightforward solutions (and sometimes thinking outside the box solutions when availability has been very low during peak season) to all the problems our airline clients have been facing.”

About Smart:

For all ACMI enquiries 24 hours a day, please contact:

Daniel.Parker@Smart-Aviation.co.uk and ACMI@smart-aviation.co.uk

Why choose Smart?

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. Previously Hawkins managed sports charters at Excel Airways, which included flying over 4,000 fans to a football final. Over the last 17 years, Smart Aviation has arranged successful charters for leading sport fixtures, transported thousands of passengers on their annual pilgrimages to Lourdes, and flown VIPS on exclusive private jet charters on a weekly basis around the world. 

Our business revolves around you

– Exactly what you need

– You’re dealing with the experts. Our goal is excellence in service and execution – our extensive knowledge and expertise ensure we deliver.

Cost effective with no compromise

– Our unrivalled operator relationships and leverage in the European market ensures you get the most cost-effective solution, without compromising on quality.

We are always available

– Our operational support team is on-hand 24/7, 365 days a year, to deal with the unexpected and keep you flying – for total peace of mind.

Call or email us today – ACMI@smart-aviation.co.uk or sales@smart-aviation.co.uk / + 44 1293 551244