Global air charter specialist Chapman Freeborn has announced the creation of an Aviation Emergency Services (AES) team to enhance its industry-leading crisis response provision.

AES has been created in recognition of the need for robust planning and preparation in the face of increasing global threats.

Part of Avia Solutions Group, Chapman Freeborn has been an integral part of the humanitarian efforts for major global crises over the past 50 years, providing solutions for airlifts, airdropping, search and rescue flights, evacuations, and repatriations.

It introduces a comprehensive range of solutions, including crisis management, to assist organisations in effectively preparing for unexpected emergency situations, and security and risk management, which enables organisations to proactively detect and mitigate potential threats related to security, terrorism, and natural disasters.

David McCown, president – Americas at Chapman Freeborn, said: “The Chapman Freeborn name is widely recognised for constructing reliable global crisis air logistics solutions serving a wide range of clients including industry, national and multilateral governmental institutions and NGOs.

“Our extensive global office network of team members and partners makes Chapman Freeborn second to none in crafting and delivering timely solutions to the most challenging situations.”

The company’s humanitarian efforts have included cargo and passenger charters during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricane Katrina in 2006, Cyclone Nargis in 2008, earthquakes in Pakistan, Haiti, Nepal, Turkey and Syria, as well as supporting ongoing and post-conflict crises in Yemen, Darfur, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Neil Dursley, Chapman Freeborn’s group chief commercial officer, said: “For five decades, Chapman Freeborn has aided countries, governments, and NGOs during crises. Just in the last few years, we repatriated pandemic-stranded crew members, relocated Afghan citizens post-ISAF withdrawal, and supplied PPE and Covid-19 vaccines globally.

“We aided Pakistan’s flood victims, helped tackle Greece’s wildfires, and chartered many flights to assist after the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, partnering with operators, governments and aid agencies.

“No challenge is too great, and no location is too difficult for our expert Air Emergency Services team.”