Chapman Freeborn celebrates 30 years in Germany
Since opening in Frankfurt in 1982 in cooperation with a Dusseldorf-based logistics company, the business has experienced continuous growth and expanded from its core cargo charter services into new markets including passenger charters and on board courier (OBC) services.
As a central part of the Chapman Freeborn group, which has 35 offices in 25 countries worldwide and arranges over 6,000 charters a year, the company has become the foremost aircraft charter specialist in Germany.
The Frankfurt office was the first Chapman Freeborn business to be launched outside of the UK and was opened by Carol Norman who is now Deputy Chairman of the group.
Due to increased demand for Chapman Freeborn’s expertise it now employs over 50 staff in Germany and opened additional offices in Cologne in 1991 and Berlin in 1994, followed by the launch of a further office in Munich in 1998.
Located at the heart of Europe’s manufacturing and logistics network, Chapman Freeborn has won a prominent position in the German cargo charter market - arranging everything from helicopters and light aircraft for time critical freight, up to giant Antonov AN-124 aircraft for heavy and outsize pieces.
Clients and suppliers recently voted the company Air Cargo Charter Broker of the Year for the sixth consecutive year at the ACW World Air Cargo Awards and Air Cargo News also named Chapman Freeborn as Charter Broker of the Year 2012.
Alongside day-to-day charters working in partnership with freight forwarders and logistics companies, regular airlift operations are also managed for international aid agencies in response to humanitarian situations around the world.
Remembering one such airlift project he was personally involved in, Chapman Freeborn’s Chief Executive Officer Russi Batliwala said:
“We received a request from a Bonn-based organisation to transport humanitarian supplies to Somalia via Djibouti and I personally accompanied the flight. Using a Hercules aircraft we landed in the desert on rough terrain where we were met by crowds awaiting the much needed supplies. They organised themselves into a human chain and unloaded the aircraft by hand and deliver the life-saving cargo. This was a very moving moment for me to witness.”
In 2006 Chapman Freeborn also launched its On Board Courier (OBC) division based in Cologne - specialising in the worldwide hand-carry delivery of urgent documents, spare parts and other small cargo shipments.
Managed by Carsten Volk, the OBC team provides global transportation solutions tailored to clients’ needs. Professional couriers accompany the consignment from pick up to delivery straight to the recipient - with clients kept informed at every step, including access to new online software to allow for the real-time tracking of shipments globally.
In addition to cargo services, Chapman Freeborn has successfully branched out into the passenger market including meeting, conference and incentive charter flights and private jet services for executives and VIP clients.
The company recently expanded its portfolio further by launching a group ticketing division covering a combination of charter and scheduled flight services.
