10 July 2023: Having earned the reputation as the music industry’s preferred private jet charter specialists, we are used to flying artists, VIPS and celebrities to iconic music events and festivals across the globe. Last month was a particularly exciting one for Smart as we chartered our first helicopter to the world-renowned Glastonbury Festival. 

More than 200,000 music lovers descended on Worthy Farm in Somerset, 21-25 June, to watch a star-studded lineup of performers including Arctic Monkeys, Guns N’ Roses and Elton John, who moved the nation with a dazzling, flawless closing performance, his last ever UK show.

The Smart Team was excited to be involved in Glastonbury for the first time this year, chartering a state-of-the-art helicopter for a music legend who was attending but not performing at the festival this year. The helicopter flew from London Heliport, landing directly at the heliport at Glastonbury. The artist made a day of it, enjoying the electric ambiance before leaving after Elton John’s unforgettable set. 

VIPs also called on us last weekend to transport them in comfort and style to Silverstone, to watch Max Verstappen cross the finish line and win the British Grand Prix. Always packed with sporting legends and celebrities, this year saw Hollywood favourite Brad Pitt hit the Northamptonshire circuit to film a scene for his new movie in which he plays a Formula 1 driver. 

Smart had the pleasure of arranging a return helicopter transfer for a VIP who flew in just in time to see the race begin, flying back also immediately after the race had finished. 

Mark Hawkins, Managing Director of Smart Aviation, said: “It’s been a real month for helicopter charters at Smart, which is not surprising given the calibre of events that have been happening in the UK the last few weeks. Whether it’s music or sport, we are always delighted to be involved in these magnificent events and to fly high-profile figures to them discreetly, promptly and safely”. 

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 18 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.

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