25 April 2023: Yesterday Smart’s Managing Director, Mark Hawkins, and Head of Airline Leasing & Charter Flight Operations, Daniel Parker, headed to Buckinghamshire New University to share their wealth of experience with over 70 students currently studying the BSc (Hons) Aviation Management and BSc (Hons) Aviation Management with Pilot Training courses. 

Daniel Parker, a Buckinghamshire New University alumni, and Mark Hawkins were invited to talk to the students to give them an insight into aircraft chartering and to pass down their industry knowledge and expertise. The dynamic duo discussed prospective career paths and presented new emerging aviation job roles to the students. Mark also shared his past experience in the aviation industry, which spans over 30 years, and spoke about why he set up Smart Aviation and how he built the business to become the leader in global aircraft chartering. 

Daniel Parker said: “It was wonderful to go back to my old stomping ground and share what I have learnt over the years with such eager and inquisitive students. They enjoyed hearing about how pivotal our longstanding relationships are to our success and we enjoyed an open discussion about what challenges the aviation industry is currently facing”. 

Molly Jane Dane, University Lecturer at Buckinghamshire New University, said: “Smart offered our Aviation and Tourism students a valuable insight into being a UK-based aircraft charter broker. With an extensive client base and having chartered aircraft in six continents, it is unquestionable the students valued listening to the experiences shared in working for and growing the company to where it is today.”

About 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. 

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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.

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

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– 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 – sales@smart-aviation.co.uk / + 44 1293 551244