News Release

Smart Aviation heads straight to the Finals

Smart Aviation, the UK-based sports aircraft chartering specialist, has today reported a record number of group charter bookings as the culmination of the 2021-2022 sporting seasons come to a climax this May. Over the last 17 years, Smart Aviation has transported thousands of teams, media representatives, VIPs and sporting fans to high profile sporting fixtures across the world. Following two years of restricted travel due to Covid-19, the sporting arm of the business is back with a bang, with Smart Aviation chartering a vast array of flights to key football and rugby tournament finals in Spain and France over the next few weeks.

Smart Aviation has arranged 13 dedicated charters for Rangers F.C. fans who will see their team take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Europa League Final on Wednesday, 18th May 2022. The complex schedule of chartered flights includes a mix of day trips and overnight trips from Glasgow to the beautiful Spanish city of Seville, where the match will be played at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium.

Liverpool F.C. look to continue their winning streak following their FA Cup victory over Chelsea F.C. last Saturday, as they head to the UEFA Champions League Final in Paris on Saturday, 28th May to play against Real Madrid. Smart Aviation is arranging charters for Liverpool's loyal fans who hope to see their team lift the trophy for the seventh time.

Smart Aviation's comprehensive sports charter operation is also involved in the Rugby League's Heineken Champions Cup Final on Saturday, 28th May. Irish favourites Leinster will battle it out against La Rochelle in the beautiful Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, France. Passionate Irish fans will travel alongside sporting officials and VIPs to Marsellie on a variety of different charters from Dublin, planned meticulously by Smart Aviation.

Alongside these chartered flights, Smart Aviation is also working on a range of bespoke private jet bookings for clients to travel to Paris, Seville and Marseille in style from a range of UK private jet terminals.

Smart representatives will be on hand at each of the departing airports to ensure a smooth departure for both new and existing clients, which is all part of the Smart Service; going that extra mile to provide exceptional customer care.

Smart Aviation was founded in 2005 by managing director Mark Hawkins, an established sports charter specialist with almost 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, Mark has dedicated much of his time to sports clients, overseeing thousands of charters to high profile fixtures and tournaments and positioning Smart Aviation as an industry leader in sport chartering.

Hawkins said: “We are delighted to be back doing such large volume sports charters. Sport has always been at the core of what we do as a company and unfortunately, Covid hit this area of travel hard. Our highly skilled team offers a truly personal service to all our clients. The key to our success is flexibility, as each clients' requirements vary considerably, and our goal is to exceed expectations every time.”

Smart Aviation's comprehensive charter service frequently provides 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.