The numbers are in. And they are impressive. The Chapman Freeborn UAE office kicked off 2026 with a clear statement of intent. By the end of January, the team had not just met its goals—it had blown past them. Across passenger, cargo, and ACMI operations, the monthly targets fell. This wasn’t a marginal win. It was a decisive victory for the region.
For the aviation industry, this performance signals something important. Demand for flexible charter solutions is not slowing down. In the IMEA region—India, the Middle East, and Africa—the need for rapid, reliable airlift is stronger than ever. The UAE office is proving it can deliver.
Breaking down the January performance
Three core divisions make up the charter business. Each one delivered a standout result last month. But they did it in different ways, responding to unique market pressures.
Passenger charter: 140% of target
The passenger charter division, led by Claudia Krajhanzl, hit 140% of its January goal. This tells us something about the current state of travel. Group movement is back. Corporations, sports teams, and event organizers are looking for control over their schedules. They want to avoid the delays and crowds of commercial airlines.
Think about a corporate retreat in the Middle East. Or a music tour moving crew and equipment across India. Commercial flights create chaos. Schedules don’t align. Baggage gets lost. A dedicated charter solves that. It puts the client in charge. The demand for that control is driving these numbers.
Cargo charter: 170% of target
Gerhard Coetzee’s cargo team absolutely crushed it. 170% of the monthly target is a massive overperformance. What caused this surge? Two things: regional logistics demand and intercontinental shipments.
The Middle East is a transit hub. Goods flow through Dubai and Abu Dhabi to reach Africa, Europe, and Asia. When supply chains get tight, sea freight is too slow. Companies turn to air. They need urgent materials. They need perishables moved fast. They need oil and gas equipment flown to remote sites. The cargo team handled all of it.
Consider a recent example. A manufacturer in India needs a critical machine part from Germany. The part is heavy. It’s urgent. The production line stops without it. Standard shipping takes weeks. A Chapman Freeborn cargo charter moves it in days. That’s the value. That’s why the demand is there.
ACMI charter: 107% of target
Daniel Huggins and the ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) division posted 107% of its target. This might look modest next to the others. It’s not. ACMI is a different game. It’s about providing airlines with short-term capacity. It’s the ultimate flexibility tool.
Airlines face unpredictable demand. A route might spike during a holiday. Another airline might need to ground a plane for maintenance. They don’t want to buy a new aircraft for a temporary gap. They lease one, crew and all. ACMI fills that gap instantly. The 107% figure proves that airlines across the IMEA region are operating at full tilt. They need backup. They are getting it from the UAE team.
What this means for the IMEA region
Linas Dovydenas, President of IMEA, put it plainly. The strong start reflects market demand and team experience. You cannot separate the two. The market is hot. But without a skilled team, that heat generates nothing. The UAE office has the expertise to convert opportunity into results.
The region is unique. It’s not one market. It’s dozens. India has its own regulatory maze. Africa presents infrastructure challenges. The Middle East demands speed and luxury. The Chapman Freeborn team navigates all of it. They understand the local players. They know the airports. They have the relationships.
Why charter demand keeps growing
This isn’t a one-month anomaly. The company expects dynamic charter demand to continue throughout 2026. Why? Because the fundamental drivers are here to stay.
- Schedule control: Commercial networks are rigid. Charters move when the client wants.
- Access: Commercial planes fly to big cities. Charters reach remote airstrips.
- Speed: Cargo charters cut weeks off ocean transit times.
- Capacity: ACMI lets airlines flex up or down without financial pain.
These are not luxury perks. They are operational necessities. For logistics operators, a delayed shipment means a broken contract. For airlines, a grounded plane means lost revenue. For corporations, a delayed team means a missed opportunity. Charter solves these problems.
Inside the engine: how the UAE team operates
Numbers are the outcome. The process is what matters. How did the UAE office actually achieve these targets?
It starts with listening. The team does not pitch generic planes. They ask questions. What is the cargo? What is the timeline? Who are the passengers? What are the diplomatic clearances required? Every mission is different.
Then comes the sourcing. The Chapman Freeborn network is global. If a plane isn’t sitting in Dubai, they find one in Europe or Asia. They reposition aircraft to meet the client. This flexibility is the core of the business.
Finally, execution. Paperwork, fuel, catering, ground handling, permits. Thousands of details. One mistake grounds the flight. The UAE team handles the pressure. They deliver.
Avoiding common charter pitfalls
Not every charter goes smoothly. Inexperience shows. Common mistakes include:
- Ignoring permit timelines: Some countries require days of lead time for overflight permits. Rush jobs fail.
- Wrong aircraft type: A narrow-body plane cannot take intercontinental pallets. Match the metal to the mission.
- Poor fuel planning: Fuel prices vary wildly. Stops cost time. Expert planning saves both.
The UAE team avoids these traps. They have done it before. They know the routes. They know the regulators. That knowledge is invisible in a press release. It shows up in the 170% figures.
Who benefits from charter flexibility?
The demand is broad. It is not just one industry. It cuts across sectors.
Airlines use ACMI to cover maintenance gaps or test new routes without buying planes. A five-year lease is a huge commitment. A three-month ACMI deal is a trial run. If the route works, they scale. If it fails, they walk away. No stranded assets.
Logistics operators use cargo charters for oversized freight. Oil and gas pipes. Mining equipment. Humanitarian aid. These items do not fit in cargo holds. They need a wide-body freighter with a loading ramp. The team finds it.
Corporate customers use passenger charters for employee transport. Safety is a factor. So is efficiency. A charter takes a team from London to a Saudi project site in one day. Commercial travel takes two or three. Time is money.
Governments and NGOs also rely on charters. Relief missions. Evacuations. Medical supplies. When a crisis hits, commercial options disappear. Charter providers step in.
The Chapman Freeborn advantage
With over 50 years in the business, the firm has seen the cycles. Booms and busts. Wars and peace. Through it all, the need for flexible airlift persists. Being part of Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest ACMI provider, adds scale. More planes. More options. More buying power.
But scale alone doesn’t win. Execution does. The UAE office shows what happens when global resources meet local expertise. The targets are not just numbers on a spreadsheet. They are flights completed. Cargo delivered. Passengers moved. Problems solved.
Looking ahead at 2026
January was a strong start. The year is long. Markets shift. Fuel prices change. Geopolitics intervenes. The team in the UAE knows this. They are not celebrating too hard. They are preparing for the next request.
More airlines will need backup. More cargo will need to move. More groups will need transport. The demand is not going away. It is evolving. The Chapman Freeborn UAE office is evolving with it.
The message is clear. If you need to move something by air—anything, anywhere—this is the team to call. They have the capacity. They have the experience. They have the momentum.
Ready to move?
Contact the Chapman Freeborn UAE team. Tell them what you need. They will handle the rest.
