Chapman Freeborn Group

Chapman Freeborn Group
Company type
Private
IndustryAviation
Founded1973 (1973)
FoundersChris Chapman
Mike Freeborn
Headquarters3 City Place, Beehive Ring Road,
Gatwick, West Sussex RH6 0PA,
United Kingdom
Key people
Russi Batliwala (Advisor to the Board)
Eric Erbacher (Group Chairman)
Saska Gerasimova (CEO – Chapman Freeborn)
Bernardo Nunes (COO – Chapman Freeborn)
Gabrielius Morkunas (CFO – Chapman Freeborn)
Nikolai Bergmann (CEO – Chapman Freeborn OBC)
Charlie McMullen (CEO – Intradco Global)
Peter Kerins (CEO – Magma Aviation)
Francisco Mühlens (Managing Director – Arcus Air Logistic)
ProductsAircraft charter brokerage
Air cargo
Business aviation
ACMI leasing
On-board courier
Animal transportation
Number of employees
400+
ParentAvia Solutions Group
SubsidiariesChapman Freeborn Airchartering
Magma Aviation
Intradco Global
Arcus Air Logistic
Arcus OBC
Chapman Freeborn OBC
Arcus Air Group[1]
Websitechapmanfreeborn.aero

Chapman Freeborn Group (also referred to as CFG) is a British aviation services holding company headquartered in Gatwick, United Kingdom, specialising in aircraft charter brokerage for cargo, commercial passenger, ACMI and business aviation clients worldwide.[2] The group was founded in London in 1973 by Chris Chapman and Mike Freeborn.[3] It operates as an independent broker, sourcing aircraft from a network of operators rather than holding an air operator certificate or owning commercial aircraft itself.[2]

In October 2019, Chapman Freeborn was acquired by Avia Solutions Group, a global aviation holding company headquartered in Ireland.[4] Following the acquisition, the group retained its existing brands and operating structure.[5] In October 2025, Saska Gerasimova was appointed Group CEO, succeeding Eric Erbacher, who moved to the role of Group Chairman.[6]

History

Foundation (1973)

In 1973, Chris Chapman and Mike Freeborn established Chapman Freeborn in London.[3] The company developed as a specialist broker for cargo aircraft charter services.[2] Mike Freeborn stepped back from an active role in 1978.[3]

European expansion (1982–2000)

In 1982, Chapman Freeborn opened an office in Frankfurt, Germany.[2] During the 1980s and 1990s, the company expanded its international office network, including operations in Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East.[7]

Acquisitions and diversification (2001–2018)

In 2006, Chapman Freeborn launched its specialist on-board courier (OBC) service, headquartered in Cologne, Germany.[8]

In 2010, Chapman Freeborn backed the creation of Magma Aviation, a dedicated cargo aircraft management company.[9] In May 2017, Chapman Freeborn increased its shareholding in Magma Aviation to a majority stake of 75%.[10]

In February 2014, Chapman Freeborn completed the acquisition of a majority shareholding in Intradco Cargo Services (now Intradco Global), a UK-based specialist in animal air transportation established in 1987.[11] In November 2021, Intradco Global, in collaboration with Chapman Freeborn's South Africa team, arranged a charter flight to transport 18 giraffes from South Africa to Brazil aboard a Boeing 747F.[12]

In 2015, Etihad Airways and Chapman Freeborn announced a collaboration to market Etihad's A380 premium cabin products to charter clients.[13]

Acquisition by Avia Solutions Group (2019)

On 14 June 2019, Avia Solutions Group signed an agreement to acquire 100% of the shareholding in Chapman Freeborn Group.[14]

The acquisition was completed on 15 October 2019, following receipt of regulatory approvals.[5] Chapman Freeborn retained its existing brands and continued to operate its established subsidiaries.[5]

Post-acquisition developments (2020–present)

On 18 June 2020, Chapman Freeborn signed an agreement to acquire Arcus Air Logistic and Arcus OBC from the Arcus Air Group.[15] Following that acquisition, Russi Batliwala was appointed Chairman and Eric Erbacher returned to the company as Group CEO.[16]

In 2020, Chapman Freeborn executed repatriation charter programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]

In October 2023, Chapman Freeborn arranged the transport of six Bell helicopter fuselages from Greece to Australia aboard a Boeing 747-800F freighter.[18] In the same year, the company marked its 50th anniversary.[2]

In early 2025, Chapman Freeborn launched a French operations base as part of its European expansion strategy.[19] In October 2025, Saska Gerasimova was appointed Group CEO of Chapman Freeborn.[6]

Business model

Chapman Freeborn operates as an independent air charter broker.[4] It does not hold an air operator certificate and does not own or operate commercial aircraft; instead, it sources aircraft from airlines and operators according to client requirements.[2]

The group's activities span business aviation, commercial passenger charter, air cargo charter, flight support services, and ACMI leasing.[7] Specialist subsidiaries extend the group's portfolio into air cargo aircraft management, live animal transportation, on-board courier, and emergency logistics.[16] [20] [21]

Industry memberships

Chapman Freeborn has been a member of the Air Charter Association (ACA) since 1985.[22] It has been a member of The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) since 2006.[22] The company is an associate member of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).[22]

References

  1. ^ "Arcus Air Logistic & Arcus OBC". Arcus Air Logistic GmbH / Chapman Freeborn Group. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Chapman Freeborn looks to another 50 years of success". Air Cargo News. 2023. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  3. ^ a b c "Chapman Freeborn celebrates 35 years of success". Business Air News. 2008. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  4. ^ a b "Avia Solutions Group to acquire Chapman Freeborn". AJOT. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  5. ^ a b c "Avia Solutions completes Chapman Freeborn's acquisition". Log Update Africa. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  6. ^ a b "Chapman Freeborn appoints Saska Gerasimova as new Group CEO". Air Cargo Week. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  7. ^ a b "Chapman Freeborn lays out its plans at ACE". Air Cargo News. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  8. ^ "About Us – Chapman Freeborn OBC". Chapman Freeborn OBC. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  9. ^ "Chapman Freeborn takes main stake in Magma Aviation". Air Cargo News. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  10. ^ "Chapman Freeborn ups stake in Magma Aviation". ADS Advance. 2017. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  11. ^ "About us – Intradco Global". Intradco Global. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  12. ^ "Intradco and Chapman stick their necks out for animal transport". Air Cargo News. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  13. ^ "Etihad and Chapman Freeborn collaborate on A380 premium services". ADS Advance. 2015. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  14. ^ "Avia Solutions to acquire Chapman Freeborn". Rus Aviation Insider. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  15. ^ "50 years of time-critical deliveries". Arcus Air Logistic & Arcus OBC. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
  16. ^ a b "Chapman Freeborn diversifies to thrive". Air Cargo News. January 2025. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  17. ^ "Wings 24 rebranded as Chapman Freeborn Flight Support". Stat Times. 2020. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  18. ^ "Chapman Freeborn transports six helicopters on single Boeing 747-800 freighter". AeroTime Hub. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  19. ^ "Chapman Freeborn continues expansion with French operations base". Business Airport International. February 2025. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
  20. ^ "This heli-ski trip can be yours for half a million dollars". New York Post. 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  21. ^ "Muore travolto da una valanga sulle montagne bresciane". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
  22. ^ a b c "Accreditations". Chapman Freeborn. Retrieved 2026-02-02.

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