Mark Hayter opens up about his 14-year journey at Air Charter Service, his work in the US market, his success with college sports charters, and why expert brokerage is key for complex travel.
Charter Chatter (Q&A) with Mark Hayter
With 14 years at Air Charter Service (ACS) and a career that kicked off with a university internship, Mark Hayter has gone from a curious student to a key leader driving the Commercial Jets division across North America. From handling high-stakes workforce evacuations to planning meticulous incentive trips, he brings a mix of strategic vision and real-world problem-solving to every charter he oversees.
We caught up with Mark to chat about his unexpected path into aviation, the thrill of solving logistical puzzles, and why having a dedicated consultant really matters when things get a little tricky.
Mark, can you tell us about your role at Air Charter Service?
As the Regional VP of Commercial Jets, my main focus is driving our presence within the US marketplace – both with our customers and our suppliers. It’s really about expanding our footprint here and making sure ACS stays the go-to partner for commercial jet charters across the region.
What made you choose a career in aviation?
Honestly, I didn’t really set out to choose aviation specifically. It started with an internship with ACS while I was studying at university. The prospect of travel was what initially drew me in, and once I saw how dynamic the industry was, I knew I wanted to stay. I rejoined ACS after graduating and have been here ever since.
Are there particular industries you specialize in?
I mostly specialize in workforce logistics, which covers everything from government through our GSA schedule and oil and gas operations to emergency evacuations. I actually enjoy the last-minute pressures and unique challenges those situations bring; every scenario is like a big puzzle that needs to be solved creatively and quickly.
On the flip side, I also really enjoy incentive trips. They’re a stark contrast to evacuations, but I love the high-touch nature of them. Every single detail is planned meticulously to ensure a flawless experience for our clients.
Do you have a favourite charter you’ve worked on?
When I moved to the US in 2017, I quickly realized we were missing out on a lot of business in the college sports sector. Figuring out that market and growing our presence in college sports is the thing I’d say I’m most proud of. Along with that, growing the Commercial Jets team here in the US has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing the team expand and succeed has been a real highlight of my time here.
Why should someone use a charter consultant instead of going directly to an airline?
A good consultant – which we strive to be – should give transparency around options. This is especially important in Commercial Jets where aircraft can look so similar; a plane with 150 seats versus one with 149 can look the same on paper, but operationally there could be a huge difference between the operators, which can make a big difference depending on what you need.
A good consultant seeks to understand what’s important to the client and matches them with the appropriate airline. We also try to make the airlines’ lives easier by acting as a buffer between them and the client. We let them know what’s possible and share information in a way that makes sense for everyone, simplifying things on both sides.
What sets ACS apart from its competitors?
I’d say it comes down to our training and our global nature. I’ve been here for 14 years now and started as an intern, so I know the process firsthand. It was very involved and hands-on, and all our new trainees go through the same rigorous process.
Our global nature also sets us apart. Client relationships are key to our success, but our relationship with operators are also of the utmost importance, and not to be forgotten. A large part of our job starts and ends with the operator – understanding their key selling points, managing our relationship with them, and then matching them with the right clients.
What would you say to someone chartering for the first time?
Charter isn’t a catch-all magic cure for travel disruptions – like weather, airport strikes, or mechanical issues, but it does provide a dedicated team to proactively work through challenges in a transparent manner. It’s the easiest job in the world when things go smoothly; it’s when things don’t that really shows our clients the benefit of the vital job that charter consultants do.
Planning or organising an event?
Contact Mark or one of our dedicated charter experts to discuss how we can design a bespoke charter solution around your exacting requirements, transforming your transportation into part of the experience.