Peak season is nearing: How to navigate the summer rush

By Patrick Lucy, Account Manager Team Lead – EMEAA

Peak season is approaching, and demand for air charter is about to surge. For brokers, this means more opportunities—but also more pressure to deliver quickly.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve had conversations with brokers across the Avinode community about how they handle the busy season. Many shared smart, practical ways to stay ahead when things heat up. Here are some of the key tips and lessons that can help you navigate the summer rush more effectively.

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Use features to move faster

Peak season demands speed and accuracy. While many brokers stick to basic searches, using Avinode’s advanced features gives you an edge.

Here’s how to search smarter:

• Takeoff Ready: Aircraft cleared and ready to fly within 96 hours—perfect for last-minute trips.
• Responsive Member: Prioritize operators who reply fast to keep deals moving.
• Power Seller: Look for operators with the Power Seller badge — it means they consistently respond to requests within the recommended 45 minutes. This badge is earned based on measured response data — giving you confidence you’re working with highly responsive partners.
• Amenities: Match client preferences upfront and avoid unnecessary back-and-forth.
• AOC: Filter by specific countries when you have regional requirements.
• Refurbished Year & Year of Make: Quickly find aircraft that meet client expectations.
• Trip Board: Post requests, and your listing will appear for operators to view and respond to.

Pro tip: Focus on quality over quantity when sending trip requests. Be specific about what you need and make it easy for operators to quote you. The clearer your request, the better your results. You can read more about our search filters here.

Streamline your communications

When every minute counts, clear and efficient communication makes all the difference.

• Direct messaging: Reduce email overload and centralize communication with operators inside the Avinode platform.
• iOS app: Get fast responses and source on the go—key for when clients expect fast answers.

Learn and improve every season

Brokers should treat each peak season as a learning opportunity. One of the best ways to capture lessons learned is by reviewing your own quoting activity and customer trends.

Trip Manager’s Quote Intelligence helps you do just that. Use it to review:

• What types of quotes did you send during peak season
• Which airports and routes were most popular in your quoting activity
• How your customers’ quoting patterns have evolved over time

Standing out beyond the platform

Sweat the small details

Attention to detail separates good brokers from great ones. One area where you can, for example, stand out is in how you handle airport selection.

Verify that your chosen airports can handle the required aircraft type, check restrictions, and consider local operational factors. Thoughtful, realistic requests save time for everyone and strengthen your reputation with operators.

Relationships drive results

As Matt Cheshire from Artist Needs Ltd said, “Anyone is only as good as their last job.” In our industry, consistent service and trust matter more than ever—especially during peak season.

• With clients: Use historical flight data to set clear, realistic expectations and demonstrate market expertise.
• With operators: Take time to build strong working relationships.
  • Review terms & conditions to understand how operators work and align your requests accordingly.
  • Be selective and respectful in your requests—avoid flooding operators with low-probability inquiries.
  • Attend events and take opportunities to visit operators in person—nothing builds trust and understanding faster than face-to-face conversations.

At Avinode, we follow this same relationship-first mindset. We continuously invest time in building strong connections with our members, meeting them face-to-face whenever possible, and listening to their feedback. The insights in this article come directly from those genuine conversations with charter professionals.

We’re here to support your success

No broker is the same. No peak season is either. Our team works with charter professionals daily and sees the various approaches that can be effective.

Whether you need help optimizing your filter settings, maximizing Trip Manager’s capabilities, or want to discuss strategies that have worked for other brokers in similar situations, we’re here to support you.

You know your business best—we’re here to help you make the most of the tools and relationships that drive success.