The Aviation Factory

What The Aviation Factory does

The Aviation Factory (TAF) is a privately-held air charter brokerage founded in 2000 in Deurne, Belgium, that intermediates between clients seeking private flights and a global network of aircraft operators, management companies, and manufacturers. The company's core offering is private jet charter brokerage, supplemented by group charter flights for 100–1,000+ passengers, aircraft sales and acquisitions brokerage, and cargo transport services, generating revenue through transaction fees and operator commissions. TAF operates an asset-light model with 35 aviation consultants across 21 offices in 15 countries covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and Central Asia, supported by an integrated ecosystem of wholly-owned sister brands including VizionAir (boutique airline), Airport Angels (ground handling), ZEUS.aero (urgent cargo), Tradefairs, Helimo (helicopter services), and The Broker Academy.

TAF differentiates through a personal-broker service model — each client is assigned a dedicated consultant available 24/7, with claims of arranging departures within two hours of request — and was the first major European aviation broker to accept cryptocurrency payments via a 2021 partnership with BitPay. The company primarily serves high-net-worth individuals (CEOs, professional sportspersons, DJs), corporate clients, travel agencies, government and royal clients (including the EU Commission and national sports teams), and niche segments such as film and media production (e.g., arranging an Airbus A318 for a Netflix series). Its go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, combining direct phone/email/WhatsApp contact, a multi-language website (11 languages) with a price calculator, and a franchise model for capital-light international expansion, with brand credibility anchored by a self-reported 5/5 Trustpilot score across 400–500+ reviews and a claimed #1 position in the Benelux market.

Name

The Aviation Factory

Legal name

The Aviation Factory

Website

https://the-aviation-factory.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Aviation Factory is a Belgium-founded private air charter brokerage arranging private jets, group charters, cargo, and aircraft sales through 35 consultants across 21 offices in 15 countries, serving HNWs, corporations, governments, and royalty.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Charter Brokerage Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219)

akta.pro primary industry

Business Jet Charter (On-Demand) (THABAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aircraft Management & Part 135/135-equivalent Operators (THABAFAD), Private Jet Charter (Midsize/Super-Midsize/Heavy Jet) (TLAFABAB), Helicopter Passenger Services (TLAFAAAE), Private Aviation Pilot & Crew Staffing/Training Services (THABAFAJ), Private Aviation Experiences (Charters, Scenic Flights, Helicopter Tours) (THAJALAF)

Keywords

• Private jet charter
• Air charter brokerage
• Group charter flights
• Aircraft sales acquisitions
• Cargo charter services

Headquarters

HQ city

Deurne

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Private Jet Charter Brokering: Acting as intermediary between clients seeking private flights and service providers. Brokers identify best aircraft and deals, negotiate rates and contracts, coordinate all flight aspects including scheduling, catering, and ground transportation. Revenue generated through commissions from aircraft operators.
2. Group Charter Services: Organizing charter flights for large groups (100-1000+ passengers) for incentives, events, and corporate travel. Revenue through service fees and operator commissions.
3. Cargo Transport: Urgent cargo transport services including specialized logistics for challenging items
4. Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions: Brokerage services for buying and selling private aircraft

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Aviation Factory is a private air charter brokerage that intermediates between clients seeking private flights and a global network of aircraft operators, management companies, and manufacturers. Core offerings include private jet charter (24/7, departures within 2 hours), group charter flights for 100-1,000+ passengers, aircraft sales and acquisitions, and cargo transport services. The company also operates specialized sub-brands covering boutique airline services (VizionAir), airport assistance (Airport Angels), urgent cargo (ZEUS.aero), trade fair flights (Tradefairs), helicopters (Helimo), and broker training (The Broker Academy).

Product overview

The Aviation Factory operates as a comprehensive air charter brokerage offering a portfolio of interconnected aviation services. The core offerings include Private Jet charter (24/7 personalized flight booking), Group Charter Flights (for 100-1,000+ guests), Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions, and Cargo services. These are complemented by specialized sub-brands: VizionAir (boutique airline), Airport Angels (premium airport assistance), ZEUS.aero (urgent cargo transport), Tradefairs (trade fair flights), Helimo (helicopter services), and The Broker Academy (broker training). A distinctive feature is cryptocurrency payment acceptance via BitPay, and the company serves niche markets like film production aircraft rental. The portfolio spans from individual private flights to large group charters, cargo logistics, and aviation industry education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VizionAir: A tailor made boutique airline, described as the only boutique airline of its kind.
• Airport Angels
• ZEUS.aero
• Tradefairs
• Helimo
• The Broker Academy

Products and services

• Private Jet Charter Personalized private jet charter brokerage service providing 24/7 availability and departure within 2 hours to worldwide destinations. Targets CEOs, professional sportspersons, DJs, and other HNW individuals seeking flexible, luxury private air travel.
• Group Charter Flights Custom-organized charter flights for groups of 100 to 1,000+ passengers. Serves corporations, royalty, governments, the EU Commission, and national sports teams for incentives, events, and corporate travel.
• Aircraft Sales & Acquisitions Brokerage service that connects buyers and sellers of private and commercial aircraft, leveraging the company's network of operators, management companies, and manufacturers.
• Cargo Transport Freight and cargo transport services including urgent shipments and specialized cargo logistics such as odd-sized freight and time-sensitive deliveries.
• VizionAir Boutique Airline A tailor-made boutique airline providing bespoke flight experiences with full flexibility, total control, and personal service from booking to arrival.
• Airport Angels Premium airport assistance service offering check-in support, gate assistance, personal shopping, connection flight help, and coordination for special flights.
• ZEUS.aero Urgent Cargo

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,000+ flights per year on all continents
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BitPaycoreTechnology or Integration · 26 November 2021Partnership with BitPay.com, the world's largest provider of Bitcoin and cryptocurrency payment services. The Aviation Factory became the first major aviation broker in Europe to accept cryptocurrency payments. Enables payment via Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies with immediate settlement the next business day.
• VizionAircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA tailor-made boutique airline - the only one of its kind. Offers total control from quick bookings to customized service with personal touch. Sister company under The Aviation Factory umbrella.
• Airport AngelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGround assistance services including check-in assistance, gate assistance, airport assistance, personal shopper, connecting flight assistance, special flight coordination and supervision. Sister company.
• ZEUS.aerominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrgent cargo transport services for challenging logistics needs including transport of 10,000 eggs to Dubai, boats to New York, oil recovery equipment, and auto parts. Sister company.
• TradefairsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized in organizing fully-catered flights from Antwerp, Brussels, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam to international trade fairs. Sister company.
• HelimominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialist in helicopter services since 1992. Sister company providing helicopter charter services.
• The Broker AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTraining program to equip aspiring private jet brokers with skills needed to succeed. Offers comprehensive training, hands-on experience, and networking opportunities with official diploma upon completion.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Chapman Freeborn: Global air charter broker with 50+ years of history offering passenger and cargo charter brokerage. Comparable on multi-continent reach, group charter focus, and broker intermediation model.
• LunaJets: European private jet charter broker headquartered in Geneva with a similar asset-light brokerage model. Comparable on private jet charter focus, European client base, and online price-quote tools.
• Stratos Jet Charters: US-based private jet charter broker offering on-demand flights with a network of certified operators. Comparable on broker intermediation model and access to 7,500+ aircraft across multiple categories.
• PrivateFly: European-based private jet charter broker with online booking and personal broker service. Directly comparable on private jet brokerage, group charters, and asset-light intermediation model.
• Victor (now Wheels Up): Originally a UK private jet charter marketplace, now part of Wheels Up. Directly comparable as an on-demand charter platform competing for the same HNW and corporate customer base as TAF.
• Air Charter Service: Global air charter broker offering private jets, group charters, and cargo services. Directly comparable to TAF as a UK-headquartered broker with multi-office presence and similar transaction-fee revenue model.

Broad incumbents

• VistaJet: Global business aviation company operating its own fleet of silver-and-red private jets. A larger incumbent offering overlapping private jet charter services but with owned fleet rather than a pure brokerage model.
• Wheels Up: Membership-based private aviation company offering on-demand charter and managed fleet services. Comparable on HNW/corporate target market but operates at much larger scale with mixed ownership/asset model.
• NetJets: Berkshire Hathaway-owned fractional ownership and private jet company with a global fleet. Overlaps with TAF on private jet access for HNW individuals and corporations but operates a fundamentally different fleet-based business model.

Emerging players

• JetSuite: US-based private jet charter operator offering on-demand and Jet Card services. Comparable on private jet charter for HNW/corporate clients, though more fleet-focused than TAF's pure broker model.

Market position

Strengths3 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCg9AVY1Kz5TvQCqEhWMhQhQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/theaviationfactory
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-aviation-factory
• Instagraminstagram.com/the.aviation.factory

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Aviation Factory