Air Partner follows record year with 'strong' first half

Aviation services group Air Partner told investors on Friday that it had "traded well" over the first half of its financial year with underlying pre-tax profits coming in in line with expectations.

Following on from the record year for its US businesses in 2017, Air Partner saw the strong performance continue across all business lines in the nation during the first half of 2018 as the firm expanded to a new office in Los Angeles and upped its headcount in New York.

In the UK, after a flat start, Air Partner's commercial jets and freight wings performed well over the second quarter with increased activity around the FIFA World Cup in Russia and a solid result from tour operations.

In the US and Europe, Air Partner's private jets unit reported good growth in both JetCard numbers and bookings throughout the first six months. AirPartner noted that, while the UK had been more subdued, it had also seen an increase in the number of JetCards in issue.

Air Partner said it had an encouraging pipeline for the remainder of the year over at its consulting and training division, which it reckons is "well placed for further growth".

At 0830 BST, Air Partner shares were down 0.4% to 112.50p.