Charter helps the Springboks kick back and relax

Wednesday 30th August 2023

Hunt & Palmer’s Commercial Aviation team was delighted to facilitate a series of charter flights for South Africa’s rugby team this month, enabling the Springboks to get a couple of friendly European matches under their belts ahead of the 2023 World Cup.  Their first tournament match starts on Sunday 10 September in Marseille - against Scotland.

“Air charter is always a sensible and smart option to transport elite sports teams owing to the flexibility and convenience,” highlighted Hunt & Palmer’s Simon Edwards.  “With private charter, departure and arrival times can be adjusted – even on the day - to suit the team.   A chartered aircraft enables all associated kit and equipment, including medical supplies, to be carried in the cabin, along with the team, coaches and physios.    Inflight catering is selected to meet dietary needs and preferences and delivered fresh to the aircraft steps, while the team  can relax in the privacy and comfort of their own cabin.

Time savings are hugely significant too.  Commercial flying in Europe is nearly back to 2019 levels and that’s markedly apparent in the regularity of longer, slower queues through security at hub airports.  Checking in via an FBO can be achieved inside 30 minutes with sports charters invariably departing from private, dedicated (FBO) terminals which offer their own, discreet security clearance. 

Hunt & Palmer Commercial Aviation facilitated Saturday's charter for the Springboks to Bastia, Corsica.  The 2023 Rugby World Cup commences September 8 in France.

All-business class B737-300 to Bastia

The aircraft arranged by Hunt & Palmer from Luton Airport (Signature Flight Support’s FBO) to Bastia, Corsica on Saturday 26 August was a Boeing 737-300 in an all-business 68-seat configuration.  “While there is a recognised shortage of single-aisle and wide-bodied aircraft available for ad hoc charter right now, there are a useful number of airliners, adapted to executive fit layout which are ideal to transport groups of up to 70 passengers,” added Simon Edwards.

Hunt & Palmer, with offices in the UK, USA and Asia, has over three decades’ experience arranging whole aircraft charters for sports teams.   in the past 12 months H & P has flown specialist sports charter for major Premier League and European football and rugby teams, plus additional specialist flights for international basketball and ice hockey teams.