For most people chartering an aircraft is not that common. It all sounds very glamorous and tempting, but how does it really work? Usually you should be following a very straight forward 5 step process to Charter an aircraft:

Step 1 - Source the aircraft Charter of your choice that is suitable for the trip

There are numerous ways of sourcing an aircraft; the most common is to contact an Aircraft Charter Broker company. Aircraft Charter Brokers will be of good assistance; in fact when you contact an aircraft broker, you are not just contacting one company; you will actually have access to a wide network of partners and affiliates worldwide. Brokers will have the appropriate knowledge, information and relationships in order to find the right aircraft charter for you in a very short time span. Chartering aircraft is what they do day in, day out; they know the market very well and have advanced in house tailor made systems available. In addition, the broker will ensure that you are paying the right price for your aircraft charter; it is the broker that will negotiate on your behalf, compare prices and give you advice on what aircraft is most suitable for your charter. The broker will guide you throughout the entire process of your charter until you arrive safely at your destination.

Step 2 - Confirm your aircraft charter

The charter broker will generally be able to provide you with more than one option to choose from; or he/she will give you advice on what is currently the most efficient option for your aircraft charter requirement. Once you are satisfied with the option provided, you need to confirm either by phone, by email and/or by signing a confirmation document that you would like to go ahead and proceed with your aircraft charter booking.

Step 3 - Sign a Charter Agreement

Upon receipt of your confirmation, the broker shall request the aircraft operator to block the aircraft for you so that you are given some time to review and sign the aircraft Charter Agreement. Most aircraft charter brokers will not tell you who the operator is that you are flying with. However, at Air Charter International, the Charter Agreement is signed between the Client and the Aircraft Operator directly; which means that there is full transparency; and you will know exactly where the operator is from and what his reputation is. Once you have signed the Charter Agreement, make sure that the aircraft operator has counter signed as well before you proceed with the payment, since an agreement signed by only one party is not a valid agreement.

Step 4 - Make the payment

Payments for Chartering an aircraft are always done in full and in advance prior to the departure of the aircraft from its base. Once there is a signed Charter Agreement in place, you will be presented with an invoice for the payment of your aircraft charter flight. Depending on the time available before the date of travel, the payment may go straight to the operator or it may go to the aircraft charter broker, in which case the broker acts as your paying agent. It is recommended not to make a payment unless and until you are presented with a valid invoice.

Step 5 - Show up and fly

Once contract signed and payments made, the aircraft operator will start preparing your charter flight; the charter broker will coordinate everything for you and you will be requested to provide information such as passenger details, sending and receiving party details, catering requests and other special requirements. Air Charter International will even be able to organize your ground transport to and from the airport. Prior to the departure of your charter flight you will be sent a flight briefing which contains all the details about your aircraft charter such as aircraft registration, flight number, names of the crew, schedule and even the time you should report at the terminal. All you have to do now is show up and enjoy your flight!

If you would like to know more about this article, please feel free to contact Air Charter International, a well established aircraft charter broker based in Dubai since 1994. Air Charter International specializes in the provision of Executive Jets, Passenger Aircraft, Cargo Aircraft, Medevac and Helicopter charters as well as ACMI Wet Leasing.