Air Charter Service was asked to arrange several private jet charters to transport national football associations, hosts, fans, media and sponsors to the rescheduled 2020 UEFA European Football Championship.
Euro 2020 Charter Success Despite Covid Obstacles
Air Charter Service was asked to arrange several private jet charters to transport national football associations, hosts, fans, media and sponsors to the rescheduled 2020 UEFA European Football Championship.
With the on-going Covid-19 pandemic causing logistical difficulties due to ever-changing travel restrictions and quarantining requirements, we had to stay up-to-date on the latest guidance and quickly adapt to ensure each time-sensitive charter ran smoothly.
Flexible solutions
As well as the complex logistics of coordinating several flights for one event, clients were understandably nervous about chartering during a pandemic and the continuing uncertainty surrounding international travel. To help reassure them, we closely monitored entry requirements and changes to airport operating hours, agreeing to waive charges if flights had to be cancelled and reacting swiftly to offer alternative solutions.
Air Charter Service was tasked with arranging 35 flight legs between the 12 European host countries over the course of the month-long tournament, with passenger numbers ranging from 40 to almost 200. Our experienced brokers sourced an array of Airbus, Bombardier, Boeing and Embraer jets that could accommodate the various group sizes, ensuring there was enough space on board for social distancing in destinations where it was required.
Staffing issues
We worked tirelessly to ensure each flight was fully crewed – a complex undertaking, as PCR testing requirements vary from country to country and staff often had to take up to four tests for each charter. Our team seamlessly coordinated all the flight reps tests, ensuring the results were issued in time, and arranged back-up flight reps to be on standby in case flight reps tested positive or had to quarantine after being in high-risk locations.
We only chose and worked with airline operators who were able to ensure any issues with staff testing positive were quickly resolved, so that a full negative tested crew was available to operate the flight with minimal impact on flights.
Food for thought
Covid-19 restrictions meant that most catering suppliers were either still closed or operating at a limited capacity, so we needed to think outside the box to ensure the teams’ dietary requirements were met during each flight. After exploring several alternatives, we went the extra mile and sourced high-quality meals from local hotels to serve on board.
Bespoke branding
Despite complications caused by the pandemic, we pulled out all the stops to tailor-make each charter with bespoke touches like personalised headrest covers and music uploads. We also managed to arrange a host of branding, from decals on aircraft exteriors and branded entry carpets to football scarves placed on passengers’ seats. There were even branded cakes to satisfy any sweet-tooth cravings.
To find out more about private jet charter and receive a personalised quotation, call one of our experienced brokers now on +44(0)20 3820 2489.