Air Partner has expanded into Japan and has opened its 21st office, in Tokyo.
The move significantly raises the profile of aircraft chartering in the territory, particularly of business jets, where it is still a relatively new concept with few providers.
The fact that Japan’s economy is the world’s second largest and overseas production by Japanese manufacturers continues to steadily increase means that the potential for growth in the charter market is significant.
The opening of Air Partner Tokyo is in line with the company’s strategy of continued expansion into centres of commerce and excellence. As is policy, local aviation professionals were headhunted to run the operation so that clients can deal with well-informed nationals,
confident in the knowledge that they are backed by a global network under a quality global brand.
David Savile, Chief Executive, said: “The arrival of the internet has proved that the old adage ‘knowledge is king’ is no longer valid as a stand alone concept. In today’s international business arena, success and growth can only be achieved if knowledge is combined with professional skills and a wide network of local contacts. Having the right people with the right
connections at the right locations is essential.”
Air Partner Tokyo has opened in collaboration with a company that formed six years ago to provide charter flights from Japan to Europe and the US for inclusive tour operators and needed experienced help to expand the ad-hoc areas of its business. It is managed by
Yoshihiro Obayashi together with Shinichiro Yanamoto and Isao Susa, all former JAL and Qantas professionals.
Even before the official launch reception for 130 key Japanese guests, they secured two bookings from the Japan Travel Bureau to fly a leisure group between London and Venice and a party of journalists from the German Grand Prix to Prague and then on to Nice. And a
day after the launch, a Japanese businesswoman booked an executive jet for a European business trip taking in France and Spain.
Air Partner plc, the world’s leading provider of executive jet and commercial aircraft charter, now has offices in 13 countries across four continents and is exceeding its growth plan of two new office openings a year in key business centres. Mr Savile believes the company’s main asset is its people who “accomplish some of the aviation industry’s most demanding and logistically complex flights on a daily basis”.
