Chapman Freeborn
celebrates 20 years in France
12th May 2008
Chapman Freeborn Airchartering is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its operations in France. Since opening in 1988, the business has grown into one of the foremost aircraft charter and aviation support specialists in the country, with offices in Paris and Marseille working in both cargo and passenger markets.
The anniversary was celebrated in style with a company weekend in Marseille, where the French team was joined by more than 150 colleagues from Chapman Freeborn’s global network. Alongside a formal conference, the group enjoyed team-building activities including a boat trip and an ‘urban safari’ in Le Panier, the oldest part of Marseille situated beside the Vieux Port.
Chapman Freeborn launched in France in May 1988, with just two employees and a small office at Paris Orly Airport, focussing solely on cargo charter operations. However, in 20 years the company has grown to serve a worldwide client base, and has successfully branched out into other market areas such as large passenger group movements and executive charters.
In 1991 Chapman Freeborn France relocated to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), and a decade later the team moved into their own purpose-built office next to the main freight area.
In 1995 a further office was opened at Marseille Airport (MRS) to cope with growing demand.
Yannis Gerault, Chapman Freeborn France’s general manager said:
“It’s a wonderful achievement to reach 20 years in France, and I am certain our business will continue to go from strength to strength.
“While the French market is not at it’s brightest at the moment, the reality is that it has always been cyclical in nature and as an established company with niche expertise we continue to do very well.
“We have an extremely strong relationship with our clients and in the future we’ll continue to build upon our long tradition of finding them the right charter solution at the very best price.”
Being in the heart of Europe, France is strategically important to Chapman Freeborn. With almost 80 million foreign tourists each year, France is the world’s most popular tourist destination, and it is still both one of the largest exporters and importers of manufactured goods globally.
Over the last 20 years Chapman Freeborn has won a prominent position in the French cargo charter market, where its client roster includes leading freight forwarders and logistics providers, as well as relief organisations. Of particular note is Chapman Freeborn’s specialisation in providing urgent charters for France’s historically strong automotive and aerospace sectors.
In the passenger market, Chapman Freeborn has worked with clients ranging from multinational corporations to incentive travel organisers and France’s growing sports industry. Worldwide music tours and events such as the Cannes Film Festival also ensure a steady stream of VIP clients calling on their services.
In particular the Marseille office in the south of France is ideally situated to serve the burgeoning executive jet and helicopter market on the Riviera for destinations including Nice, Cannes, Monaco, St Tropez and Antibes.
In addition to the brokering activities, Chapman Freeborn’s aviation support subsidiary Air Dispatch has also established a strong presence at many of Frances’s major airports including Paris Charles de Gaulle, Paris Orly, Marseille and Nice.
Please contact Chapman Freeborn France for more information on cargo and passenger charter services:
Paris office: Telephone: +33 1 48 17 35 40 or Email: par@chapman-freeborn.com
Marseille office: Telephone:
+33 4 42 46 73 30
or Email: mrs@chapman-freeborn.com
Website: www.chapman-freeborn.com
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