What Air Charter Service does

Air Charter Service Group ("ACS"), operated under UK parent Mountfitchet Limited (registration 09900645) and founded in 1990, is a privately held aircraft charter brokerage arranging private jet, group passenger, cargo, and humanitarian charters. The company self-describes as the world's largest private charter brokerage, operating from 40+ offices across six continents, accessing a network of 50,000+ aircraft, and arranging 35,000+ flights per year. Disclosed group revenue reached $1.8 billion in 2021 (a record year), with H1 2022 revenue of $770 million representing a 49% year-over-year increase and private jet charter revenue up 56% over the same period. Customer reach spans high-net-worth individuals, multinational corporates, governments, freight forwarders, automotive, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, entertainment, and airlines across 12+ countries including the UK, USA, Canada, France, the UAE, India, China, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and South Africa.

ACS's product surface is organized into three divisions. The Private Charter division covers private jets, executive airliners, helicopters, air taxi, air ambulance, aircraft sales, leasing, the Empyrean Jet Card, empty-leg flights, and luxury travel packages. The Group Charter division handles personnel logistics, series charters, emergency response, tours and roadshows, events, branded charter concepts, corporate travel, aircraft leasing (wet/damp ACMI/dry/hybrid), and sports charters. The Cargo Charter division covers urgent 'go now' shipments, dangerous goods, heavy/outsize cargo, humanitarian relief, remote destinations, onboard courier, AOG solutions, animal transport, and pharmaceutical transport. The proprietary technology stack centers on JetPortal, a web and iOS/Android application for booking and account management, supplemented by Aircraft Guide and Private Jet Prices apps. A carbon footprint calculation methodology co-developed with Carbon Trade eXchange uses ICAO fuel-burn profiles for 150+ aircraft types and DEFRA aviation emissions factors; the company holds ISO 9001 certification and TICO registration in Canada.

The business model is transaction-based brokerage: ACS arranges flights on behalf of clients with FAR Part 135 direct air carriers (and equivalents outside the US) and earns commissions/fees per booking; it is not an aircraft operator. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, while the optional carbon offsetting contribution is an explicit 0.5% take rate on each booking that ACS commits to topping up if insufficient. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales with dedicated 24/7 charter consultants, augmented by a website inquiry funnel, phone/callback service, the JetPortal self-serve interface, and The Travel Division channel reseller. Revenue is diversified across 10+ vertical segments with no public concentration in any single named customer, and sub-brand extensions (Empyrean Card, JetPortal, ACS Time Critical) deepen the relationship moat beyond a single transaction.

Name

Air Charter Service

Legal name

ACS Air Charter Service (Canada) Corp.

Website

https://aircharterservice.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Air Charter Service Group, under UK parent Mountfitchet Limited, is the world's largest private aircraft charter brokerage, arranging private jet, group passenger, cargo, and humanitarian flights via 40+ offices across six continents and access to 50,000+ aircraft.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Air Charter Brokerage

NAICS

Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Nonscheduled Chartered Passenger Air Transportation (481211), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212)

SIC

Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter Brokerage & Charter Management (Passenger) (THABADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Jet Charter (Midsize/Super-Midsize/Heavy Jet) (TLAFABAB), Charter Air Freight Forwarding (Full/Part Charter, ACMI Brokerage) (TLACAAAC), Group & ACMI Charter Airlines (Ad-hoc/Wet Lease) (TLAFABAC), Emergency, Evacuation & Repatriation Charter Operators (THABADAH)

Keywords

• Private jet charter
• Cargo charter brokerage
• Group aircraft charter
• Aircraft leasing services
• Luxury aviation services

Headquarters

HQ city

Surbiton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Charter Brokerage Commission: ACS arranges charter flights on behalf of clients with FAR Part 135 direct air carriers. Revenue is generated through transaction fees and commissions on each charter booking. The company also offers carbon offsetting as an optional 0.5% add-on to the charter price.
2. Carbon Offsetting Contribution: Optional 0.5% carbon offsetting charge added to charter bookings for customers who wish to offset emissions. Funds are invested into carbon credits via CTX exchange.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Air Charter Service is an aircraft charter brokerage that arranges private jet, group passenger, and cargo charter flights for clients worldwide. The company accesses a network of 50,000+ aircraft via FAR Part 135 direct air carriers and provides booking, consulting, and account management services across 40+ offices on 6 continents. Revenue is generated through transaction fees and commissions on each charter booking, with an optional 0.5% carbon offsetting add-on.

Product overview

Air Charter Service operates as a multi-service aircraft charter brokerage platform offering three core service divisions: Private Charter (encompassing private jet, helicopter, air taxi, air ambulance, aircraft sales, leasing, jet card membership, empty leg flights, and luxury travel packages), Group Charter (including personnel logistics, series charters, emergency response, tours and roadshows, events, charter concepts branding, corporate travel services, aircraft leasing, and sports charters), and Cargo Charter (covering urgent shipments, dangerous goods, heavy/outsize cargo, humanitarian relief, remote destinations, onboard courier, AOG solutions, animal transport, and pharmaceutical transport). The company also provides specialist industry solutions for airlines, automotive, corporate travel, entertainment, freight forwarders, government, music, oil and gas, film/TV/media, travel companies, and orchestras. Supporting services include a full-service travel agency (The Travel Division), mobile applications (JetPortal, Aircraft Guide, Private Jet Prices), and a carbon offsetting program. With access to 50,000 aircraft globally and 40+ offices across 6 continents, ACS functions as a technology-enabled brokerage coordinating charter flights through a network of FAR Part 135 direct air carriers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Empyrean Card: Jet Card program offering flexible private jet travel with membership benefits.
• JetPortal
• ACS Time Critical

Products and services

• Private Jet Charter Private jet charter services providing on-demand private jet, helicopter, and executive airliner charters for business and leisure purposes.
• Executive Airliners Large aircraft charters offering luxury and comfort for groups requiring executive-style transportation.
• Helicopter Charter Helicopter charter services providing flexible point-to-point travel options.
• Air Taxi Cost-efficient, short-haul charter services for quick point-to-point travel.
• Empyrean Card (Jet Card) Membership card providing flexible prepaid private jet travel with guaranteed availability and preferential pricing.
• Air Ambulance Medical transport charter services for quick patient relocation and emergency medical flights.
• Aircraft Sales Buying and selling services for private aircraft.
• Private Jet Leasing Short and long term private jet leasing arrangements.
• Empty Legs Pre-scheduled private jet flights available at reduced prices when aircraft need to return to base or reposition.
• The Travel Division Full-service luxury travel agency handling all travel arrangements including private transportation and bespoke itineraries; operates as ACS's wholly-owned subsidiary (company registration 08697954).
• Private Jet Packages and Luxury Holidays Full end-to-end luxury travel packages combining private jet charters with luxury accommodations and experiences.
• Personnel Logistics Charter services for corporate employee transportation and workforce logistics.
• Series Charters Large-scale charter programmes for recurring or scheduled group transportation needs.
• Emergency Response Charter Rapid deployment charter services for humanitarian aid and emergency situations.
• Tours and Roadshows Charter Charter services designed for demanding schedules including touring schedules and corporate roadshows.
• Events Charter Aircraft charter logistics for event organizers requiring transportation for attendees, crew, or equipment.
• Charter Concepts Branded and personalized charter services allowing customization of aircraft branding and experience.
• Group and Corporate Travel Services Comprehensive travel management services for groups and corporate clients.
• Aircraft Leasing Wet, damp (ACMI), dry and hybrid lease contracts for airlines and operators.
• Sports Charters Charter arrangements for sporting events, organizations, and athletes.
• Urgent 'Go Now' Cargo Time-critical cargo charter services for urgent shipments requiring immediate dispatch.
• Dangerous Goods Cargo Specialized cargo charters for sensitive hazardous materials requiring proper handling and regulatory compliance.
• Heavy and Outsize Cargo Cargo charters specifically designed for large freight requiring specialized handling and loading equipment.
• Humanitarian and Relief Cargo Aid delivery charters providing urgent humanitarian assistance to regions in need.
• Remote Destinations Cargo Cargo charters reaching difficult-to-access locations and remote destinations.
• Onboard Courier Personalized hand-carry cargo service with dedicated couriers accompanying shipments.
• AOG Solutions Charter solutions for aircraft on ground (AOG) situations when aircraft become stranded.
• Animal Transportation Specialized transport and relocation services for animals.
• Pharmaceutical Transport Temperature-controlled and compliant charter solutions specifically designed for sensitive pharmaceutical goods.
• ACS Time Critical Cargo Service Dedicated sub-brand for urgent, time-critical cargo charter services; ACS Time Critical hub opened in Houston in 2025 to strengthen regional footprint in major trade corridors.
• Carbon Offsetting Program Voluntary carbon offset service allowing customers to offset flight emissions by contributing 0.5% of charter price to certified climate projects via Carbon Trade eXchange.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,000+ flights arranged per year
• +5 more outcomes

Segments11 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Carbon Trade eXchange (CTX)coreTechnology or IntegrationStrategic partnership with Carbon Trade eXchange to develop carbon footprint calculation methodology for private aviation. CTX provides carbon credit purchasing exchange for ACS's carbon offsetting program. ACS contributes 0.5% of booking values to offset fund which is used to purchase carbon credits via CTX exchange.
• Silverstone CircuitflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Private Charter Supplier of Silverstone, providing helicopter charters to the British Grand Prix F1 race. ACS operates exclusive heliport at Silverstone circuit for VIP arrivals.
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)coreOthersACS uses ICAO fuel burn rate profiles for 150+ aircraft types to calculate carbon footprints for customer offsetting program. ICAO data provides the most accurate fuel burn rate information for private aviation calculations.
• UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)coreOthersACS uses DEFRA-published emissions factors for Aviation Fuel to calculate GHG emissions from fuel burn data in their carbon footprinting methodology.
• FAR Part 135 Direct Air CarrierscoreOthersACS arranges flights on behalf of clients with FAR Part 135 direct air carriers that exercise full operational control of charter flights at all times and meet all FAA safety standards. ACS is not an aircraft operator.
• The Travel Division LtdflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsidiary company (company registration 08697954) operating as a full-service travel agency. Creates channel partnership for private jet charters, luxury travel packages, and concierge services.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PrivateFly: On-demand private jet charter broker with a digital-first booking platform and instant pricing engine. Comparable to ACS in private jet charter but represents the digital-native, self-serve segment that pressures traditional brokers.
• Air Partner: UK-headquartered aircraft charter broker offering private jet, group, and cargo charter services globally. Closest direct peer to ACS in broker model, customer mix, and product breadth; acquired by Directional Aviation Capital in 2018.
• VistaJet: Global private aviation company offering on-demand private jet charter and program memberships worldwide. Direct competitor to ACS's private jet charter business with overlapping HNW/corporate customer base and similar global service model.
• Chapman Freeborn: Specialist aircraft charter broker (now part of Avia Solutions Group) arranging passenger, cargo, and group charters across global markets. Directly comparable broker model and customer segments to ACS, including humanitarian and oil/gas work.
• Stratos Jet Charters: US-based on-demand private jet charter broker arranging flights through a network of certified operators. Comparable online brokerage positioning to ACS for US corporate and leisure private jet demand.
• LunaJets: European-based private jet charter broker with strong on-demand and jet card offerings. Directly comparable private aviation brokerage competitor to ACS, particularly across European and intra-EU routes.

Broad incumbents

• Flexjet: Fractional jet ownership and lease provider with global fleet operations. Overlaps with ACS on shared HNW/corporate customer base, but is an operator-asset-heavy incumbent rather than a pure broker.
• NetJets: Berkshire Hathaway-owned fractional ownership and jet card leader in private aviation. Largest broad incumbent in the space with fleet ownership — competes with ACS on shared customers but operates a fundamentally different, asset-heavy model.

Emerging players

• Wheels Up: Membership-based private aviation marketplace combining owned fleet and brokered flights via digital platform. Direct overlap with ACS in on-demand private jet and corporate markets; a digitally scaled emerging competitor that has acquired Air Partner.

Regional players

• Meridian Air Charter: US-headquartered corporate aircraft charter broker with strong North American footprint. Comparable broker model to ACS but focused on US regional demand rather than global coverage.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=3xhr5cd0c8g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/acs-air-charter-service-canada-corp

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Air Charter Service