Aviation broker Chapman Freeborn highlights the growing demand for tailor-made charter flights for professional football teams travelling to international matches. According to the company, charter solutions offer greater flexibility and better opportunities to adapt travel to the teams' training and match situations.

For clubs in Greece and Cyprus playing in European tournaments, scheduled flight schedules do not always match the match schedule. Direct charters make it possible to control departure and arrival times according to the teams' needs and allow players, managers and medical staff to travel together.

“Football travel is very time-critical. A team may need to travel immediately after training, arrive at a specific time before a match or return shortly after the final whistle. Therefore, the travel arrangements must be adapted to the team’s sporting requirements,” says Anestis Konstantinidis, Passenger Charter Broker for DACH, Cyprus and Greece at Chapman Freeborn.

A charter flight requires extensive planning beyond the flight itself. In addition to the number of passengers, luggage, exercise equipment, medical equipment, catering and ground services must be coordinated with airports and airlines.

“The flight is only the visible part of the operation. Behind the scenes, extensive coordination is required between the club, the airline, the airports and the ground handling providers. Each club also has its own procedures and wishes that must be taken into account,” says Konstantinidis.

As an example, Chapman Freeborn highlights an assignment where the company chartered an Airbus A320 to transport 143 people from Cypriot Pafos FC to Athens ahead of a Uefa Champions League match. The flight was tailored to the team's preparations and complemented by club branding on board, including the club logo being displayed on the aircraft and the club anthem being played upon boarding.

Chapman Freeborn also sees opportunities to offer charter flights for youth national teams, supporter trips and other groups linked to international sporting events, particularly in markets such as Greece and Cyprus where the company believes awareness of specialized sports charter solutions can still increase.

According to the press release.