Private charter companies are preparing for a surge in post-restriction bookings as premium and corporate travellers seek to resume travel plans in anticipation of the UK lifting airspace restrictions as ash from the volcanic eruption in Iceland moves south.

Air charter broker Hunt & Palmer says scheduled carriers rolling over their bookings will be faced with little to no capacity in premium cabins once airspace reopens. This applies particularly to key European business hubs and the USA, while economy cabins are likely to be overwhelmed with stranded leisure passengers.

Hunt & Palmer is planning a number of dedicated "Volcano Express" large charter services to strategic destinations. These will be available for individual passenger bookings. "This unprecedented situation requires flexibility and "out of the box thinking" to provide an innovative solution for corporate and leisure travellers and by combining our international aircraft charter capabilities with our scheduled service travel abilities," says Hunt & Palmer director Jamie Martin. "We think we can provide the fastest possible travel solution to the UK market when the airspace opens."

Source: Flight International

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