As we enter August, the demand for business jets and private charters shows no signs of abating. There is no better way to begin your trip in ultimate luxury, than with a private jet. At Air Charter Scotland, we are constantly busy dispatching our light and medium cabin sized aircraft, to and from small regional UK airports and dedicated business hubs. These airports aren’t experiencing the workforce issues that the busy, popular airport hubs are right now.   

Delays and cancellations have alas become synonymous for commercial short haul travel, exacerbated by lack of baggage handlers, and ground/cabin crew.  There is also strike action coming this month from Ryanair (France and Spain) and easyJet (Spain) which will affect many travellers plans.

This week, British Airways have announced they are temporarily suspending their ticket sales on domestic & European routes until 15th August – to get around the 100,000 per day passenger cap that has just been enforced at Heathrow – due to increased demand for air travel. Meanwhile, there’s also congestion and frustration at French customs in Dover. All of this disruption couldn’t have happened at more inconvenient timing in the peak holiday season when people want to explore the world, de-stress on a relaxing beach holiday and visit loved ones afar.

If you have your dream holiday in mind, cherished anniversary, big birthday or an overseas wedding on the horizon and concerns about reliability or getting delayed – why not give our on demand charter a try? We have welcomed a raft of new users who are now planning their own itineraries, discovering our Empty Legs and returning with us with a very positive experience.  

Private air charter is now more affordable than you think! Plan your next trip and book your private journey in the skies with us.

At Air Charter Scotland we are incredibly proud to recognise the work our pilots do. On this World Pilots Day, we asked them why they were inspired to pursue this adventurous career.

Alan Ruddock is a Legacy 650 Captain and Legacy Training Captain, he said:

“For me, it’s the travel. Seeing different destinations and cultures that you wouldn’t otherwise see. I caught the ‘aviation bug’ whilst working part-time as a baggage handler. Having the privilege to dip into other cultures as if a traveller from another world or time is what it’s all about. Watching the school run in Tajikistan; to being in a NASA facility in California. Being in a Souk in Morocco; to perpetual daylight in the Arctic Circle, and all sometimes in the space of the same week!”

Lucy Youdell, an Air Charter Scotland Captain on the Embraer Legacy 500, spoke about the influence of her childhood on her career choice: 

“As a child, I was very fortunate to be taken on many foreign holidays and was always so excited at the prospect of being at the airport and getting on a plane much more so than going on the holiday itself! A pilot was still perceived as a very stereotypical male role when I was younger so I always aspired to be cabin crew; a well-established career within the industry that fascinated me so much. When I was at secondary school the headteacher put the idea into my head that it was possible, for a young small female like me, to actually get to fly these wonderful machines for a job, so I had a trial lesson in a Piper PA28 on my 16th birthday and the ‘bug bit’. I’m delighted as to how far I’ve come and very excited for what lies ahead.”

Daniel Woods, a Captain for Air Charter Scotland on the Citation Latitude, spoke of catching the flying ‘bug’ young: 

“At the age of 14, I went along to Fairoaks Airport in Surrey with my Father who was having a business meeting with his clients. After his meeting, he asked if I would like a trial lesson, and without hesitation, I excitedly said “Yes please!”. 
“A few short moments later I found myself climbing into an aircraft and taking to the skies with an instructor, it is safe to say that from that day, I caught the bug for flying. I later discovered that as a very young child I would tell my parents that I wanted to fly like a bird when I grew up and I think this is about as close as I’ll get to fulfilling that wish.”s

Nick Wildman, a Legacy 500 Captain and  Fleet Manager overcame obstacles to reach for the sky:

“I’ve wanted to be a pilot since a small boy, but maths was never a strong point for me, I had to retake it just to get a grade C for GCSE. In fact in high school, I can remember one teacher, in particular, laughing at me, and telling me “you’ll never be a pilot, you’re no good at maths, and you can’t see” in reference to that fact I wear glasses.”
“Fast forward 25 years on, and I’ve been in aviation as a pilot for the last 16 years, 8 of those as a Captain.  If you want something enough, you’ll defy all odds to achieve it. Have confidence and belief in yourself regardless of what others tell you!”

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Our pilots are a truly talented crew, and we hope their stories can inspire another generation to take to the skies. 

SUPPLYING CLEAN ENERGY AND DRIVING DOWN HARMFUL POLLUTION FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

THE STORY

With its large population and booming growth, the ever-increasing demand for energy in China requires constant developments of sustainable energy sources that can facilitate a move away from China’s dependence on coal.

THE SOLUTION

Located on the Du River in Hubei Province of China, this project generates clean electricity through a hydropower station with an installed capacity of 500MW. Thanks to the project, the local community can rely on renewable energy sources and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels as the main source of power generation, while the environment is spared from 782,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions on average per year.

THE IMPACT

The project activities have also contributed to provide improved local transportation and communications systems, employment opportunities, as well as enhanced investments in the local area which has benefited the local economy.
More information on the project can be found on South Pole’s website.

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