Leading aircraft charter specialist Air Charter Service reports that it has seen charter numbers rise year on year at its financial year’s half way point, July 31st.

“Contract numbers are up nine percent compared to the same time last year at more than 5,800 contracts to the end of July,” said Justin Bowman, ACS Group’s CEO. “We’re very pleased with this continued growth, as last year was our best year by quite some way, exceeding our expectations.”

In addition, this year did not include any unusual circumstances which would have boosted air cargo volumes, such as last year’s West Coast port strike. That event saw Air Charter Service flying up to three Boeing B747 charters a day for three weeks.

“The largest project that we have undertaken in 2016 was the 48-leg Iron Maiden world tour between February and July using the B747 nicknamed Ed Force One,” said Bowman. “But that only counts as one charter contract.”

Full charters aside, the company’s revamped Onboard Courier division is doing very well, with an increase of 94 percent, Bowman report. “Having said that,” he added, “last year was its inaugural one following our new investment in it. They are on track to hit 1,000 jobs this year, which will be a remarkable achievement.”