Leading aircraft charter specialist, Air Charter Service (ACS), has seen a significant increase in workforce logistics flight bookings and enquiries from energy, oil, gas and mining companies in the last year. The global aircraft charter company recorded a 145% year on year increase in enquiries, whilst bookings have increased by 120% compared to the previous year’s figures. ACS expects this trend to continue, as the mining industry increasingly turns to private aircraft charter for workforce transportation due to its offering of long-term connectivity against commercial flight disruption.

It is evident that commercial flight schedules may take a number of years to return to their original, pre-pandemic capacity. The near collapse in demand for business travel, as well as the leisure sector, during the pandemic has impacted the number of routes, frequency and size of aircraft being used. This is reflected in aviation industry predictions, as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently revised their prediction on airline revenue decrease for 2021 from -29% to -46%, when comparing to 2019 figures*. Against the backdrop of the IATA report, ACS expects to fill the gap left by the scheduled service reductions in 2021 and forecasts that workforce logistics bookings will remain consistent with the higher levels it has seen in the last six months.

Matthew Purton, Group Commercial Jets Director at Air Charter Service, comments: “We have shared this forecast based on the significantly increasing demand that we are seeing from the mining services industry. These clients will continue to face limited options to fly commercially on the more niche routes that they are required to travel and are now seeking long-term connectivity without the risk of delays and cancellations. Another option that firms are considering is the consolidation of various companies onto one commercial airliner flight to make chartering aircraft more viable.”

With 27 worldwide offices, spanning all six major continents, Air Charter Service can facilitate workforce transportation by private jet or helicopter charter for individuals, as well as larger commercial airliners for groups. ACS can organise dedicated cargo aircraft for mining equipment and offers an on-board courier service for expensive items or replacement parts for mining operations.