charteroperatører

Charteroperatører are companies that operate flights or ships on a charter basis rather than on a published regular schedule. In aviation, they provide capacity to tour operators, corporate clients, or private groups, often under contract that specifies a route, dates, and passenger or cargo capacity. They may own aircraft or lease them and typically supply the aircraft, crew, maintenance, insurance, and flight planning as part of a charter agreement.

Operational models include one-off ad hoc charters, seasonal or group charters, and ACMI or wet-lease arrangements, where the operator provides the aircraft and crew to another airline or organizer for a specified period. Charter operators can also act as air carriers under an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) in many jurisdictions and must comply with safety, staffing, and maintenance regulations set by national authorities and, in the EU, by EASA.

In maritime sectors, charter operators arrange vessel charters for cargo or passengers, contracting a ship owner to operate the vessel under a charter party; these arrangements cover use period, routes, and freight or charter payments.

The market is characterized by a mix of tour-operating contracts, corporate charters, and private bookings, subject to seasonality and economic conditions. Competition includes scheduled carriers competing on price and reliability, as well as other charter operators and broker networks. Key concerns include regulatory compliance, safety standards (often demonstrated through audits such as IOSA), fleet management, crew availability, insurance, and contract disputes related to delays or cancellations. Charter operators play a flexible role in mobility and tourism, filling demand for bespoke or capacity-constrained travel and transport needs.