Chapman Freeborn Named Air Charter Provider of

The world's chief air charter specialist Chapman Freeborn has triumphed at this year's Air Cargo Africa awards in Nairobi, Kenya, winning the prestigious Air Charter Provider of the Year prize.

The Shipping, Transport, Aviation and Tourism (STAT) Times award, presented at a ceremony on the second day of the conference, was nominated by freight forwarders and airlines and applauded the firms' excellence across a continent spanning 53 nations.

This latest honour compliments the Air Cargo Charter Broker of the Year award, which has been won by Chapman Freeborn at the World Air Cargo Awards for the last four years running.

With offices in Entebbe, Uganda, and Johannesburg, South Africa, Chapman Freeborn now has a strong presence in the African market.

In 2009 Chapman Freeborn identified Entebbe, Uganda's largest airport, as the location for its first African office and a headquarters for air charter and leasing operations across the continent.

One factor was its proximity to areas like Somalia and Darfur for human relief operations; another was the opportunity to transit equipment involved in mining, telecoms, and the energy industry, all of which are growth sectors in the region.

Ten months after launching the Entebbe operation Chapman Freeborn further expanded its reach by establishing an additional team in Johannesburg, South Africa - also providing the full range of cargo and passenger air charter services.

Iain Clark, Regional Manager for Chapman Freeborn Africa, was present to collect the award on behalf of the company. He commented:

'The whole team is very proud that Chapman Freeborn has been awarded this accolade for our charter services in Africa. Our commitment to customer service is at the core of our business and we are honoured that has been recognised.'

In 2010 Chris Chapman, founder and chairman of the company, was also inducted into The International Air Cargo Association's (TIACA) 'Hall of Fame' in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development and growth of the global air charter market.

Chapman Freeborn has 32 offices in 22 countries worldwide and arranges over 6,000 cargo and passenger aircraft charters a year.