Both “normal” operations and Ad-Hoc and ACMI flights require special attention on the Inflight Service front. Every flight requires a certain level of planning, although normal operations require less last minute attention, as long as operations are indeed normal. But as soon as they are not, the airline’s OCC will have to focus on all issues EXCEPT Inflight Service. That is where we come in….No matter if it is just a short delay (delay service on board), a crew change due to FTL Restrictions (delay service plus crew package), aircraft change due to AOG (delay service, crew package and reconfiguration) or even sub-services, it all has consequences for Inflight Service. And for very obvious reasons, this is not (nor should it be) the focus of the airline OCC. But there are many reasons why it should be looked after; failing to do so could have serious consequences; both the airlines image and operation could suffer. Delays are never a good thing (well, actually, in some cases they are, but that is an entirely different story) but they will occur. When they do, they should be kept to an absolute minimum. But neither airline nor its passengers want to be faced with either a flight without any catering or an additional delay because the catering is not properly prepared. We have a lot of experience in this area, so we know what questions to ask and when to keep our mouths shut.
At the other end of the spectrum, Ad-Hoc and ACMI flights may require a lot of preparation and planning. We have to deal with (sometimes very) specific customer requirements that range from simple coffee and newspaper services at a large international airport to lobster and Champagne at an airport in the Polar region. Either can, at times, be a challenge, but in all cases, it requires undivided attention. Sometimes even on-site. We have contracts and existing working relations with a lot of the local providers and access to a wide network of contractors for those airports where we don’t. In all cases, we will take care of it.