Chisholm Enterprises

What Chisholm Enterprises does

Chisholm Enterprises WLL is a privately held, family-controlled aviation and logistics solutions provider headquartered in Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, founded in 2006 by John Chisholm. The company delivers bespoke services to enterprise clients with complex aviation and logistics requirements, including aviation consultancy, aircraft asset management, Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversion management, and end-to-end program management covering personnel, procurement, and multi-country logistics coordination. Its core differentiator is Texel Air, a wholly owned operating airline subsidiary that flies a Boeing 737 fleet including the proprietary B737-700 FlexCombi — a combination passenger/cargo platform co-developed with PEMCO as the launch customer of PEMCO's B737NG P2F conversion line, which received FAA approval in July 2020 — together with B737-800BCF freighters operated under multiyear ACMI Express wet-lease contracts.

The business model combines professional services revenue (consultancy, asset management, P2F conversion oversight, and program management delivered on a bespoke, quote-based project basis) with managed services revenue from Texel Air's aircraft operations and maintenance. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales, led by senior management leveraging four-continent experience and an international network of specialists to source or create solutions where none exist, including remote-location logistics, fleet modernization, and ad-hoc charter work. Pricing is non-standard and engagement-specific, with no public tiers, and the customer base consists of enterprise aviation and logistics operators rather than SMB or consumer segments.

The company employs 11-50 people and claims operational reach across the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, Levant, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, though corporate operations and the B737 fleet remain anchored in Bahrain. No external institutional investors or funding rounds are disclosed; ownership and management remain within the Chisholm family, with George Chisholm as CEO and Michael Hamelink (Chicago Booth MBA, ex-KLM, ex-CFO of Bassaka Air) as CFO since July 2021.

Name

Chisholm Enterprises

Legal name

Chisholm Enterprises WLL

Website

https://chisholmenterprises.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chisholm Enterprises WLL is a privately held Bahraini aviation and logistics firm delivering bespoke consultancy, aircraft asset management, P2F conversion management, and program management to enterprise clients, supported by its wholly owned operating airline subsidiary Texel Air and a B737 fleet including the FlexCombi.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation and Logistics Services

NAICS

Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Air Transportation (481)

SIC

Aircraft (3721)

akta.pro primary industry

Air Freight Brokerage (TLADAMAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Air Consolidation & Deconsolidation (Consols, Master/House AWB) (TLACAAAB)

Keywords

• Aviation consultancy
• Air cargo services
• Aircraft asset management
• Passenger to freighter conversion
• Logistics program management

Headquarters

HQ city

Manama

HQ country

Bahrain

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Aviation Solutions & Services: Bespoke aviation consultancy and solutions including aircraft operations, asset management, and maintenance services provided through owned subsidiary Texel Air operating a B737 fleet.
2. Logistics Solutions: Complex logistics project management including personnel support, equipment transportation, and procurement services. Revenue generated through project-based engagements requiring specialized expertise.
3. Program Management: Comprehensive project management services covering entire operations from personnel support to managing procurement and logistics, ensuring projects are delivered on time and on budget.
4. Aviation Consultancy: Expert advisory services covering airline startups, supplemental type certificate development, airport and infrastructure construction, and general aviation operations consulting.
5. Aircraft Asset Management: Management of aircraft on behalf of clients from evaluation through purchase to maintenance and operation, helping clients maximize investment value.
6. P2F Conversion Management: Turnkey solutions for converting passenger aircraft into freighters, from sourcing donor aircraft through selecting conversion specialists to delivering final product.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Chisholm Enterprises delivers bespoke aviation and logistics solutions through aviation consultancy, aircraft asset management, passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion management, and program/project management. Through its 100% owned subsidiary Texel Air, it operates a Boeing 737 fleet (including the proprietary FlexCombi and B737-800BCF aircraft) and provides aircraft maintenance services, enabling end-to-end turnkey delivery for enterprise clients.

Product overview

Chisholm Enterprises is a solutions-focused aviation and logistics business offering a portfolio of bespoke services rather than a unified software product. The company provides tailor-made aviation and logistics solutions through services including Aviation Consultancy, Asset Management, P2F Management, and Program Management. As a key differentiator, Chisholm Enterprises owns and operates Texel Air, a subsidiary airline flying a B737 fleet (including the proprietary Boeing 737 FlexCombi™ and B737-800BCF aircraft) and providing aircraft maintenance services. Texel Air serves as the operational backbone enabling Chisholm to deliver end-to-end aviation solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aviation Consultancy Expert advisory services covering airline startups, supplemental type certificate development, airport and infrastructure construction, and general aviation operations consulting for clients in the aviation sector.
• Aircraft Asset Management Management of aircraft on behalf of clients from evaluation through purchase to maintenance and operation, helping clients maximize value retention over the asset's lifespan.
• P2F Conversion Management Turnkey solutions for converting passenger aircraft into freighters, covering sourcing of donor aircraft, selecting conversion specialists, and delivering the final converted product.
• Tailor Made Solutions Bespoke aviation and logistics solutions tailored to unique client requirements, sourcing efficient solutions where standard options do not exist.
• Program Management Comprehensive project management covering entire operations from personnel support to procurement and logistics, ensuring projects are delivered on time and on budget.
• Texel Air (Subsidiary Airline Operations) 100% owned subsidiary operating airline flying a B737 fleet and providing aircraft maintenance services; offers cargo and combination airplane services tailored to client needs.
• Texel Air Boeing 737 FlexCombi B737-700 combination aircraft (FlexCombi) operated by Texel Air, providing flexible passenger and cargo capabilities on a single platform; developed in partnership with PEMCO and received FAA approval in July 2020.
• B737-800BCF Operations Boeing 737-800 Converted Freighter aircraft operated by Texel Air under multiyear ACMI Express service contracts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Development and FAA approval of B737-700 FlexCombi aircraft (July 2020)

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• PEMCOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Active development partnership with PEMCO for the B737-700 FlexCombi P2F (Passenger to Freighter) conversion. Chisholm Enterprises was the launch customer for PEMCO's B737NG P2F conversion line. The company purchased a prototype base 737-700, funded significant R&D and flight testing, and worked closely with PEMCO until the aircraft received FAA approval in July 2020.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chapman Freeborn: Global aircraft charter broker and aviation services provider. Comparable to Chisholm in brokering and arranging complex aviation solutions including charter, cargo, and specialized missions on behalf of enterprise clients.
• Air Atlanta Icelandic: Iceland-based ACMI and charter operator with a global fleet. Comparable to Chisholm in providing wet-lease and cargo charter services to airlines and logistics customers across multiple continents.
• 2Excel Aviation: UK-based bespoke aviation services company providing charter, special missions, and aviation consulting. Comparable to Chisholm in operating aircraft for niche/complex missions and offering tailored solutions rather than scheduled service.
• ASL Airlines Belgium: European cargo and passenger ACMI/charter operator. Comparable to Chisholm's Texel Air subsidiary in providing passenger-to-freighter conversions and ACMI flying services across European and international markets.
• SmartLynx Airlines: Latvia-based ACMI and charter operator with a fleet of narrowbody aircraft. Comparable to Chisholm in providing ACMI services and operating aircraft for contract-based engagements across diverse geographies.
• Longtail Aviation: Bermuda-based cargo charter operator providing ACMI and freight services on B747 and other widebodies. Comparable to Chisholm/Texel Air in providing flexible cargo charter and ACMI services to global clients.
• National Airlines: US-based cargo charter operator providing worldwide freight and ACMI services. Comparable to Chisholm/Texel Air in offering cargo charter and aircraft leasing on a tailored, project-driven basis.
• Alton Aviation Consultancy: Aviation advisory firm specializing in airline strategy, fleet planning, and asset management. Comparable to Chisholm's consultancy practice in providing high-level aviation advisory and asset management services to airlines and investors.

Broad incumbents

• AerCap: World's largest aircraft leasing company with a diversified fleet including B737NG/MAX. Comparable to Chisholm's aircraft asset management business but at massive scale across the commercial aviation leasing market.

Regional players

• Air Charter Scotland: UK-based charter operator providing bespoke passenger and cargo charter services. Comparable to Chisholm in offering tailored charter services to complex requirements, though primarily focused on the UK/European market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chisholm-enterprises

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Chisholm Enterprises