AIR.L Regulatory News (AIR)

Air Partner appoints Alan Murray as Director of Inclusive Tour Programmes

Air Partner is pleased to announce that it has appointed Alan Murray as Director of Inclusive Tour Programmes within its Commercial Jet Division. Alan joins Air Partner with over twenty five years' experience of this highly dynamic sector. Based in the UK, Alan will have responsibility for Air Partner's UK and European Inclusive Tour development, within the Group's Commercial Jet Division.

Alan joins having spent the last 3 years as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer of specialist cruise line Voyages of Discovery. Prior to this Alan was the Managing Director of First Aviation, Director of Monarch Airlines and chair of Monarch Travel Group commercial steering group. Alan's earlier career included being Sales Director of Air 2000/First Choice Airways (now Thomson Airways), and time at Air UK Leisure/Viking International Air Chartering part of Unijet Group plc.

The appointment of Alan Murray is another milestone for Air Partner and its dedicated Inclusive Tour division, which has rapidly grown its presence in the tour operator sector since 2012. Since April 2013 alone, Air Partner has launched flying programmes for Silver Ski, Olympic, Sunvil and GIC.

Paul Argyle, Product Director Commercial Jets of Air Partner, commented, "We are pleased to welcome Alan to Air Partner. He joins at an exciting time with Air Partner having signed Silver Ski, Olympic, Sunvil and GIC this year. Alan's experience and understanding of the Inclusive Tour Sector compliment Air Partners' strategy to grow its presence in this area. Alan's management experience, strong network and proven track record are ideally placed to help the Commercial Jet Division grow and achieve its strategic aims." 

Alan Murray, Air Partner's new Director of Inclusive Tour Programmes, said, "I am delighted to be joining Air Partner's Commercial Jet Division. Air Partner is already highly successful in this sector, I am confident we can develop this further and look forward to working with the team both in the UK and overseas. Air Partner has an excellent platform, combining heritage, brand and business ethics, with a fantastic team, great supplier and customer relationships, strong financial status and enviable track record of delivery. I am extremely excited to be working with the team to drive growth opportunities and maximise the Group's potential in the sector."

Air Partner is a leading provider of commercial and private aviation services to industry, commerce, governments and private individuals worldwide. Air Partner holds a Royal Warrant from HM Queen Elizabeth II and flies for six of the G8 Group of governments. The Company also works with a number of other leading tour operators, cruise lines and Airline partners globally.

9th September 2013

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About Air Partner

Air Partner has been trading for over 50 years and is a world leading provider of aviation charter services to industry, commerce, governments and individuals worldwide. The Group is globally recognised as a leading charter broker and organises ad hoc aircraft charters of every type for any reason. Its three main divisions comprise Air Partner Freight, Air Partner Commercial Jets and Air Partner Private Jets. The Commercial Jets division charters commercial airliners to move groups of any size. Private Jets offers the company's pre-paid JetCard scheme and on-demand charter for individuals and smaller parties. With its headquarters alongside Gatwick airport in the UK, Air Partner operates 24/7 year-round and employs 200 aviation professionals across its 21 offices spanning Europe, North America, the Far East and Middle East. Air Partner is the only company in the aviation industry to hold a Royal Warrant, a globally recognised mark of excellence.

About Air Partner's Commercial Jet Division

Air Partner's Commercial Jets division organises bespoke charters and aviation solutions for groups of every size on airliners seating 20 or more passengers. Clients include the conference and incentive industry, tour and cruise operators, international conglomerates, governments, and humanitarian aid organisations. Private charters are used for a wide variety of reasons such as product launches, country evacuations, global sporting events, troop movements and package holiday travel. In 2011, the Air Partner Commercial Jets team worked around the clock to organise humanitarian aid flights and evacuate more than 12,000 people in just six weeks from across Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, New Zealand and Japan, when far-reaching and unprecedented political upheaval and devastating natural disasters coincided. www.airpartner.com