Chapman Freeborn Group
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Founded | 1973 |
| Founders | Chris Chapman Mike Freeborn |
| Headquarters | 3 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) Nikolai Bergmann (CEO – Chapman Freeborn OBC) Charlie McMullen (CEO – Intradco Global) Peter Kerins (CEO – Magma Aviation) Francisco Mühlens (Managing Director – Arcus Air Logistic) |
| Products | Aircraft charter brokerage Air cargo Business aviation ACMI leasing On-board courier Animal transportation |
Number of employees | 400+ |
| Parent | Avia Solutions Group |
| Subsidiaries | Chapman Freeborn Airchartering Magma Aviation Intradco Global Arcus Air Logistic Arcus OBC Chapman Freeborn OBC Arcus Air Group[1] |
| Website | chapmanfreeborn |
 | This article's style of writing may not reflect the encyclopedic tone used on Wikipedia. (August 2026) |
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
[edit]Foundation (1973)
[edit]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)
[edit]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)
[edit]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)
[edit]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)
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- ↑ "Arcus Air Logistic & Arcus OBC". Arcus Air Logistic GmbH / Chapman Freeborn Group. Retrieved 13 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Chapman Freeborn looks to another 50 years of success". Air Cargo News. 2023. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- 1 2 3 "Chapman Freeborn celebrates 35 years of success". Business Air News. 2008. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- 1 2 "Avia Solutions Group to acquire Chapman Freeborn". AJOT. 14 June 2019. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- 1 2 3 "Avia Solutions completes Chapman Freeborn's acquisition". Log Update Africa. 15 October 2019. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- 1 2 "Chapman Freeborn appoints Saska Gerasimova as new Group CEO". Air Cargo Week. 20 October 2025. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- 1 2 "Chapman Freeborn lays out its plans at ACE". Air Cargo News. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "About Us – Chapman Freeborn OBC". Chapman Freeborn OBC. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "Chapman Freeborn takes main stake in Magma Aviation". Air Cargo News. 9 May 2017. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "Chapman Freeborn ups stake in Magma Aviation". ADS Advance. 2017. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "About us – Intradco Global". Intradco Global. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "Intradco and Chapman stick their necks out for animal transport". Air Cargo News. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "Etihad and Chapman Freeborn collaborate on A380 premium services". ADS Advance. 2015. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "Avia Solutions to acquire Chapman Freeborn". Rus Aviation Insider. 25 June 2019. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "50 years of time-critical deliveries". Arcus Air Logistic & Arcus OBC. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
- 1 2 "Chapman Freeborn diversifies to thrive". Air Cargo News. January 2025. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "Wings 24 rebranded as Chapman Freeborn Flight Support". Stat Times. 2020. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "Chapman Freeborn transports six helicopters on single Boeing 747-800 freighter". AeroTime Hub. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "Chapman Freeborn continues expansion with French operations base". Business Airport International. February 2025. Retrieved 2026-04-02.
- ↑ "This heli-ski trip can be yours for half a million dollars". New York Post. 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- ↑ "Muore travolto da una valanga sulle montagne bresciane". Corriere della Sera (in Italian). 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2026-02-25.
- 1 2 3 "Accreditations". Chapman Freeborn. Retrieved 2026-02-02.