SOS Global vice president global sales and marketing Steven Gruning with Air Partner sales manager Luke Williamson receive Air Partner’s award for best executive travel solutions provider

Air Partner opens LA office and posts strong results

Air Partner has opened a new office in Los Angeles that will service southern California and the broader West Coast markets. It strengthens Air Partner's existing US network which includes New York, Fort Lauderdale and Washington DC. The announcement coincides with Air Partner reporting strong trading in the US as part of its full year results. Its private jet business reported an 80 per cent rise in overall US customer numbers, which the company attributes to last year's New York office expansion, the recruitment of new management and recognition of its JetCard as the most flexible US membership programme by independent aviation consultancy Conklin & de Decker for the fourth consecutive year.

CEO Mark Briffa says: "We are delighted to have opened an office in Los Angeles, providing local Air Partner representation to our established customers and enabling us to deliver our services the length and breadth of the West Coast. Expanding our north American presence is a natural progression as we see significant potential for growth, given the diversity of industries that would benefit from our services and capabilities.

"The LA office will also introduce JetCard to the West Coast private client and business communities. Offering fixed hourly rates, guaran- teed availability, a global reach and no monthly management fees or fuel surcharges, while also being fully refundable on demand, we are confident that it will be a key driver in growing our share of the US private jet market."

Air Partner named 'best executive travel solutions provider'

The group was recently named 'Best Executive Travel Solutions Provider' by Major Events Inter- national at an awards dinner in Liverpool. Air Partner sees particularly strong demand from the football industry, and this year has operated 15 flights to Russia for the FIFA World Cup for players, supporters and corporate customers. Director of charter Clive Chalmers says: "Air Partner has worked with the sports industry for several decades now and has a deep understanding of its unique requirements. I am delighted that we have been acknowledged by MEI in this way."