FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., July 2, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ -- In the past year alone, Air Partner has successfully evacuated over 2,500 passengers from cruise ships around the world. Due to recent events, Air Partner's Commercial Jets Department has now developed an unprecedented global contingency plan that ensures cruise passengers get home quickly and comfortably in the event of an incident.

Worldwide, the cruise industry launches roughly 10,000 annual voyages and is capable of supporting nearly half a million passengers, at any given time. Despite this, the likelihood of a major cruise incident is extremely low, but Air Partner is still urging the cruise industry to have advanced plans in place for their 20 million annual passengers, prior to leaving port.

"These incidents never seem to occur during banking hours and there's a world of difference between chartering a flight and evacuating thousands of people on a moment's notice. Preparation makes all the difference," said Phil Mathews, President of Air Partner, North America.

By expertly routing and deploying specially chartered aircrafts, Air Partner has returned passengers to their destination point within 36 hours of cruise incidents – a remarkable response time.

"The cruise lines we currently work with are deeply concerned with the care of their guests. For them, passengers are the priority and we developed this plan to provide guests with the best possible service and peace of mind."

Global Expertise and Experience The contingency planning for Cruise Ship Companies is an additional product offered by Air Partner, who has a distinguished record serving Fortune 500 multi-nationals and governments around the world during many recent crises situations (Fukushima, Arab Spring, hurricane relief). Their extensive evacuation experience and global reach gives them the ability to streamline the relief process and quickly bring passengers home.

"When we talk about experience, it isn't just about "having been there and having done that". The advantage of experience comes from building the right relationships with the right operators. We know what's needed, who to call, and have the reputation to get aircraft moving, without waiting for money to change hands. Not a lot of brokers can say that," said Mathews.

About Air Partner Air Partner has been trading for over 50 years and is a world-leading provider of aviation charter services to industry, commerce, governments, and individuals worldwide. The Group is globally recognized as a leading charter broker and organizes ad hoc aircraft charters of every type for any reason. Its three main divisions comprise Air Partner Freight, Air Partner Commercial Jets and Air Partner Private Jets. The Commercial Jets division charters commercial airliners to move groups of any size. Private Jets offers the company's pre-paid Jet Card scheme and on-demand charter for individuals and smaller parties. With its headquarters alongside Gatwick airport in the UK, Air Partner operates 24/7 year-round and employs 200 aviation professionals across its 21 offices spanning Europe, North America, the Far East, and Middle East. Air Partner is the only company in the aviation industry to hold a Royal Warrant, a globally recognized mark of excellence.

About Phil Mathews British-born Philip Mathews graduated from Buckingham University in 1989 with a BA (Hons) in Politics, Economics and Law and has worked in the aviation industry for more than 20 years. He joined Air Partner in 2002 and was appointed President of the US business in 2003.

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SOURCE Air Partner