Aero Alliance, based at Shoreham Airport, was formed earlier this year to promote and develop charter flight operations and other aviation services from Shoreham and other airports in the South East. Whether it is local pleasure fight or international flight to Northern Europe you seek, Aero Alliance can meet the demands of groups of up to seven people. Unlike a scheduled flight operator, that is limited to a few destinations, a charter flight operator is able to fly to any destination with a runway long enough for the aircraft to legally operate. This broadens the horizons of Aero Alliance to hundreds of airfields in the UK and Europe. “We can take you to pretty much any airport you want to go”, says senior pilot Captain Stuart Rawlinson. There are many small regional airports that the bigger operators cannot use that are available and more convenient to air traveller. A major advantage of taking a charter flight from Shoreham (Brighton City) Airport, is the speed of check in and check out the other end. Typically this is about ten (yes ten) minutes! So if the waiting around at Gatwick (for example) frustrates you, then consider what might be available locally. Together with the quick check in, on a charter flight the customer also decides the departure times (within the normal airport opening hours), which makes the whole travel experience stress free and allows you to make the most of your valuable time. Charter flights cater specifically for groups of people, as seats cannot be sold separately. The aeroplane and pilot come as a whole package at the customer’s convenience. But, as a group you can hire the package to take you when and where you want. Be it 5or 6 people to Paris, Amsterdam or a Duty Free trip to the Channel Islands! A family party or group of friends can fly from Shoreham like taking a taxi ride, except that with Aero Alliance you get complimentary refreshments, a few souvenir gifts and go somewhere completely different for a change!

Anyone thinking about trying out the service, whether it is a local pleasure flight or a day trip, is very welcome to come to the airport and view the aircraft and facilities. Next year Shoreham Airport will celebrate a hundred years of operation, older that any other UK airport. It is part of the local heritage and well patronised by those living in the area. However, many are not aware of the wide range of aviation activity that goes on. It is one of the most important pilot training airfields in the country as well as being a departure airfield for the discerning passenger. Many would not be aware that as well as private pilot training, pilots graduate at Shoreham as fully qualified commercial pilots, ready to fly your typical airliner. Aero Alliance pilots are all highly qualified commercial flight instructors as well being the captain for your jolly! If you are lucky enough to be seated next to him at the controls (which can happen), he will take pleasure in explaining their use.