Optimizing Charter Operations: BizAv Industry Insights from NBAA-BACE 2024


01 Nov 2024

In the dynamic world of business aviation, staying ahead means constantly adapting, innovating, and learning. Avinode Group’s recent Charter Chat panel at NBAA-BACE 2024 in Las Vegas brought together industry leaders to unpack the critical challenges and opportunities facing charter operations today.

The Expert Panel

Our panel featured:

  • Toni Drummond, President & Co-founder, Prestige Air Group
  • Leslie Cheshier, VP Owner & Charter Services, Jet Aviation
  • Saskia De Jong, Global Director of Customer Success, Avinode Group

Technology: The Great Enabler

The aviation industry is experiencing a technological revolution, and our panelists are at the forefront of this revolution. Both Prestige Air Group and Jet Aviation are investing heavily in cutting-edge software to streamline operations and unlock unprecedented productivity gains.

 “Technology has been a beautiful friend to us in so many ways, it keeps us safe,” explained Toni Drummond. “When you are using technology as a preventative, whether it’s preventative maintenance or preventative in-scheduling, or safety – ensuring you stay within your regulations and compliance, there is a beautiful space for technology there.  Technology helps us grow faster; technology helps us scale”.

By leveraging modern technology, industry professionals can:

  • Reduce human error
  • Minimize operational friction
  • Enhance overall efficiency

Navigating the Post-Pandemic Landscape

COVID-19 fundamentally reshaped business aviation. Our panel dissected the emerging trends:

  • An influx of new industry entrants poses the need for education
  • Evolving team collaboration models to facilitate effective remote working
  • Shifting client interaction dynamics and how to remain front of mind

Broker-Operator Relationships: A New Paradigm

A critical focus was bridging the traditional communication gap between brokers and operators and a rallying cry for greater transparency to safeguard lasting partnerships. Key recommendations included:

  • Aligning Terms & Conditions to manage expectations in emergencies
  • Ensuring comprehensive [SW1] [KK2] insurance and cancelation policies
  • Creating transparent, detailed contracts that protect all parties involved

Stressing the importance of maintaining high standards of service, Leslie Cheshier, observed: “Next to safety – it’s about service. It’s about elevating the standards and delivering on those standards each and every time – and that’s been the big challenge. She added: It’s a service industry, a relationship industry, and that won’t go away no matter how much technology you throw into aviation.”

Cybersecurity: Protecting Our Digital Frontier

With digital threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, the panel emphasized:

  • Implementing robust data security measures
  • Protecting against phishing and online fraud
  • Maintaining strict PCI compliance

Innovation in Action

Prestige Air Group showcased the industry’s innovative spirit by developing an in-house compliance app, demonstrating how technology can be both a defensive and competitive tool.

The Road Ahead

As business aviation continues to evolve, success will belong to those who:

  • Embrace technological transformation
  • Prioritize transparent communication
  • Remain adaptable in a changing landscape

Our Promise

Avinode Group remains committed to empowering the business aviation ecosystem with cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency, security, and growth.

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