Charter flights for travel agencies: how to charter an aircraft for your groups 

Faced with increasingly segmented tourist demand, travel agencies and tour operators are looking for solutions capable of offering more flexibility than scheduled services. Whether it is a beach holiday, a cultural tour, an incentive trip or a sporting event, chartering an aircraft makes it possible to have complete control over the group’s air transport. Schedules, departure airports, aircraft capacity or frequency of rotations: every parameter is tailored to the needs of the programme. 

The group travel agency charter flight is thus a genuine commercial lever. It makes it possible to open up new destinations, to secure capacity in periods of high demand and to improve the travellers’ experience thanks to a bespoke service. This does, however, require being able to rely on a partner with an international network of airlines, recognised operational expertise and a perfect understanding of the constraints of organised tourism. 

For more than thirty years, Avico has supported travel agencies, tour operators and event organisers in setting up charter programmes all over the world. Thanks to its network of carriers and its specialised teams, the group is able to offer solutions suited both to a one-off flight and to a complete charter programme. 

Why travel agencies choose Avico for their charters 

Organising a travel agency aircraft charter is not simply a matter of booking an aircraft. It is an operation that mobilises many players: airlines, airports, local authorities, ground handling agents and sales teams. In this context, the broker’s experience often makes the difference. 

Access to more than 200 airlines: always a solution available 

One of Avico’s main strengths lies in its international network of partners. 

With more than 200 airlines listed, the company is able to quickly identify the aircraft best suited to each project. This diversity makes it possible to offer aircraft of varying capacities, from regional turboprops to single-aisle aircraft such as the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737, particularly popular for group travel. 

This approach offers greater flexibility than relying on a single carrier. In the event that an aircraft is unavailable or the programme changes, an alternative solution can generally be proposed within very short timeframes. 

Negotiated rates thanks to annual volumes 

Price is naturally a decisive criterion for travel agencies. 

By drawing on a significant annual volume of chartered flights, Avico benefits from negotiated rates with many airlines. These agreements make it possible to obtain competitive costs while maintaining a high level of service quality. 

Beyond the base rate, this negotiating power also offers greater flexibility on certain contractual terms, whether confirmation deadlines, modification options or payment terms. 

For agencies, this translates into better cost control and greater security in building their commercial offers. 

A dedicated point of contact who knows your destination portfolio 

Each agency has its own markets, its historic destinations and its commercial constraints. 

This is why Avico favours a personalised approach. The teams follow projects over the long term in order to understand each client’s habits, to anticipate periods of high activity and to propose solutions adapted to changes in demand. 

This in-depth knowledge of the destination portfolio makes it possible to save valuable time when preparing a new charter programme or renewing an existing season. 

Responsiveness: a quote within two hours, even in high season 

In tourism, decisions must sometimes be made within a few hours. 

A destination that is performing particularly well, a competitor changing its offer or a group client confirming late may require an additional aircraft to be put in place quickly. 

Thanks to its operational organisation and its teams spread across several markets, Avico is able to provide a quote within two hours for the majority of requests, including during the summer periods when airline capacity is most in demand. 

This responsiveness allows agencies to secure their sales without wasting time in negotiations with several airlines. 

The types of charter programmes for agencies 

Not all charter operations meet the same commercial objectives. Some involve a single departure, while others are part of a scheduling strategy over several months. The choice of model depends mainly on the volume of clients, seasonality and the commercial potential of the destination. 

One-off flight: a group formed for a specific destination 

The one-off flight is the simplest formula. 

It is generally used to transport an already formed group: a school trip, a conference, a sporting event, a cruise, a pilgrimage or a trip organised by a works council. 

In this configuration, the agency books an aircraft exclusively for its clients, with schedules adapted to the programme of the stay. This solution also makes it possible to serve airports that are little or not served by scheduled routes. 

For travellers, the experience is simplified since the entire group travels together, from departure to arrival. 

Series of flights: weekly rotations to a seasonal destination 

When a destination records strong demand over several weeks, agencies often favour a series of charter flights. 

This model consists of scheduling a weekly rotation, or even several departures per week, over a defined period. It is particularly suited to Mediterranean beach destinations or seasonal tourist tours. 

This regularity facilitates the marketing of the stays while offering better visibility of available capacity. 

It also makes it possible to negotiate more advantageous rates thanks to the volume of activity generated. 

Back-to-back: optimising aircraft use 

The principle of back-to-back consists of linking several rotations without unnecessarily grounding the aircraft between two flights. 

In concrete terms, the passengers arriving at a destination depart with the same aircraft that simultaneously transports the next group. This organisation limits empty repositioning flights and improves the aircraft’s utilisation rate. 

For travel agencies, this optimisation generally translates into a reduction in the overall cost of the programme and better operational profitability. 

Annual programme: planning a whole season 

Tour operators with a large volume of travellers often favour annual planning. 

This approach consists of building a genuine agency charter programme, covering an entire tourist season, or even several periods of the year. 

By booking airline capacity several months in advance, it becomes possible to secure the most suitable aircraft, to smooth out operating costs and to give sales teams better visibility to launch sales. 

This strategy also reduces the risks associated with the capacity pressures observed during periods of high demand, particularly during school holidays or the major summer departures. 

How to build a profitable charter programme 

The success of a charter programme does not rest solely on the choice of destination. It depends above all on a balance between airline capacity, the pace of sales and control of operating costs. For a travel agency or a tour operator, the aim is to offer an attractive product while securing the profitability of each rotation. 

Thanks to its experience with tourism professionals, Avico supports its partners from the design phase of the programme in order to optimise every operational parameter. 

Calculating the break-even point: how many seats must be sold? 

Even before confirming an aircraft, it is essential to assess the minimum number of seats to be marketed in order to cover the flight’s costs. 

This break-even point varies according to several factors: the type of aircraft, the duration of the rotation, airport taxes, the price of fuel and the services included in the charter contract. On an Airbus A320 or a Boeing 737, the financial balance is often reached with an occupancy rate of between 80% and 90%, depending on the pricing strategy adopted. 

This analysis allows the agency to adjust its commercial offer as soon as sales are launched, by setting a price consistent with its margin objectives. 

Choosing the aircraft suited to the group’s capacity 

The choice of aircraft is an essential lever of profitability. 

An oversized aircraft entails unnecessary costs, while insufficient capacity can limit sales or force the agency to turn down bookings. Each programme must therefore be built on the basis of attendance forecasts, but also on the expected evolution of demand over the course of the season. 

For smaller groups or regional destinations, a turboprop or a low-capacity aircraft can offer a more economically relevant solution than a conventional airliner. Conversely, destinations in high demand during the summer often justify the use of aircraft with 180 to more than 220 seats. 

Thanks to its access to more than 200 airlines, Avico selects the most suitable solution according to the market, the budget and operational constraints. 

Managing unsold seats through co-chartering 

Even with excellent preparation, it is rare for a programme to show a perfect occupancy rate over the whole season. 

To limit the financial impact of unsold seats, Avico can set up co-chartering solutions with other travel agencies or tour operators sharing the same needs. 

This pooling makes it possible to spread costs among several partners while maintaining the planned departures. It is a particularly interesting alternative for seasonal destinations where several players market similar products. 

Co-chartering also helps to reduce the financial risks associated with fluctuations in demand. 

Adjusting prices through dynamic pricing 

Booking habits are changing rapidly. Travellers sometimes book several months in advance, but a growing share of sales also occurs at the last minute. 

To support this trend, many agencies implement dynamic pricing. The first seats are offered at an attractive rate in order to launch sales quickly, then prices evolve gradually according to the occupancy rate and the proximity of departure. 

This approach improves overall revenue while offering greater commercial flexibility. 

Combined with good anticipation of airline capacity, it makes it possible to sustainably optimise the profitability of a tour operator group charter. 

The leading destinations for agency charters in summer 2026 

Each season sees new trends emerge, but some regions continue to concentrate the bulk of demand for charter flights. 

In 2026, several markets are expected to remain particularly buoyant for travel agencies. 

The Mediterranean: safe bets that remain in high demand 

Mediterranean destinations remain the pillars of summer charter programmes. 

Morocco, Tunisia, Greece, Turkey and Spain continue to attract a family clientele looking for affordable beach holidays, but also travellers interested in cultural tours and short breaks. 

The frequency of rotations, geographical proximity and the diversity of the hotel offer make these destinations particularly well suited to recurring charter programmes. 

Sub-Saharan Africa: expertise reinforced by a local presence 

West Africa represents a strategic market for many tour operators, businesses and international organisations. 

Thanks to its offices in Dakar, Abidjan and Casablanca, Avico has in-depth operational knowledge of this region. This local presence facilitates exchanges with airport authorities, airlines and ground service providers. 

For agencies specialising in these destinations, this local anchoring is a significant advantage, particularly when it comes to managing complex programmes or operations requiring strong responsiveness. 

Emerging destinations are gaining in popularity 

Alongside the historic markets, several destinations are experiencing sustained growth. 

Albania is attracting more and more travellers thanks to its still-unspoilt coastline and its excellent value for money. Montenegro is continuing its development in the high-end segment, while Armenia attracts a clientele in search of original cultural experiences. 

These markets offer agencies new opportunities for differentiation. By launching tour operator charter flights to these destinations ahead of their competitors, they can develop an exclusive offer while benefiting from strong commercial potential. 

FAQ 

Does Avico offer preferential contracts for partner travel agencies? 

Yes. Agencies generating an annual volume of business with Avico can benefit from negotiated rates, a dedicated point of contact, personalised support and priority access to availability during periods of high demand. 

What is the minimum group size to justify a charter? 

In most cases, a group of 80 to 100 passengers makes it possible to consider chartering an airliner under good economic conditions. For smaller groups, Avico can offer lower-capacity aircraft, turboprops or co-chartering solutions in order to optimise costs. 

What happens if an agency does not fill the aircraft completely? 

Several solutions can be considered. Depending on the situation, Avico can look for a partner to share the flight, make the remaining seats available through its commercial network or adapt the type of aircraft where this remains possible. The aim is to preserve the profitability of the programme while maintaining the commitments made to travellers. 

Can Avico handle charters to sub-Saharan Africa? 

Yes. Thanks to its operational offices in Dakar, Abidjan and Casablanca, Avico has recognised expertise in African markets. This local presence facilitates the management of authorisations, coordination with local partners and the operational monitoring of flights. 

Develop your charter programmes with Avico 

Air chartering has become a genuine development tool for travel agencies and tour operators. Whether it is a single departure, a series of summer rotations or an annual programme, a group travel agency charter flight makes it possible to control airline capacity, to offer schedules adapted to travellers’ expectations and to build a differentiating offer. 

Thanks to its network of more than 200 airlines, its recognised expertise in the tourism sector and its international presence, Avico supports professionals at every stage of their projects, from the feasibility study to the operational monitoring of flights.