The years 2025 and 2026 will be marked by major global sporting events, which pose a huge logistical challenge. Air Partner, a company specializing in aviation solutions, is positioning itself as an indispensable partner to ensure the smooth travel of fans, athletes, and teams.
Given globally distributed match schedules, tight schedules, and the movement of thousands of participants, mobility is becoming a key strategic issue. Tailor-made air logistics is proving to be a crucial success factor behind the scenes of these major events.
Complex travel requirements in modern sport
Today's sporting events are large-scale, mobile projects that are scheduled at short notice, take place across a global distribution network, and are highly complex. Conventional commercial air services often reach their limits, especially when it comes to transporting entire national teams, large hospitality groups, or extensive media crews. Air Partner offers tailor-made solutions for a wide range of requirements with its services, which range from customized charter flights to cargo transport.
Clive Chalmers, Senior Vice President Group Charter UK & ROW at Air Partner, emphasizes the special nature of sports travel: "What many underestimate is that sports travel is not a normal group trip. It requires precision planning, meeting tight time frames, and often transporting extensive equipment that needs to be in the right place at exactly the right time. This is exactly where we come in. We don't just organize flights; we ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes so everyone can concentrate on the real highlight: the sport."
Logistical masterpiece at the Giro d'Italia
A vivid example of the complex demands of sports logistics is the transport of the "Carovana del Giro d'Italia," the official support fleet of the famous cycling race. Air Partner organized the transfer of 692 people, including race teams, organizers, sponsors, and press representatives, as well as 25 tons of special cargo. This included bicycles, therapy and workshop equipment, and technical materials.
The logistical challenge was the route from Hévíz–Balaton Airport in Hungary to Catania, Sicily, which involved small regional airports, tight time windows, and geopolitical uncertainties. At short notice, the originally planned wide-body aircraft had to be replaced by smaller aircraft such as a Boeing 737-400F and an ATR72 to ensure landing rights. These aircraft operated at a precise 45-minute frequency to reduce ground operations. Air Partner also coordinated passenger transfers, including baggage handling and event branding, at both airports – with a lead time of just 90 minutes before departure.
Caribbean sports tournament as another example of complex flight logistics
Another example of Air Partner's expertise in sports logistics is the organization of travel for an international sports tournament in the Caribbean. Over 700 passengers from various national teams were transported on 13 charter flights to venues including Antigua, Guyana, St. Lucia, and Bridgetown.
Aircraft types such as a Boeing 737-800 and a Fokker 70 were used, precisely tailored to the respective routes and group sizes. In addition to coordinating the passenger flights, Air Partner also organized the transport of broadcasting equipment and additional baggage on separate cargo aircraft. A dedicated account manager accompanied the entire trip and ensured a smooth operation.
Challenges in the Alpine Ski World Cup
The upcoming 2025/26 FIS Alpine Ski World Cup season will also place significant demands on travel planning in the sport. Between October 2025 and March 2026, athletes will travel almost weekly to various venues such as Sölden, Levi, St. Moritz, Kvitfjell, Crans-Montana, and Lillehammer.
The combination of tight time frames, heavy and sensitive equipment, and sometimes remote competition venues often makes standard flight connections impractical. Air Partner supports winter sports teams and their support crews with individually planned flight connections, including the coordination of ground handling, special baggage, and flexible responses to weather-related changes to plans. Flexibility and rapid response are crucial, especially during the winter season.
Mobility as an inconspicuous but crucial discipline in elite sport
Modern sports travel is much more than just transport from A to B. It requires meticulous planning, flexible routing, sensitive logistics for sports equipment, and coordinated transfers, which often have to be carried out under time pressure and across national borders and are precisely tailored to the specific needs of each team.
Air Partner sees itself as more than just a flight service provider; the company acts as an extension of the organizing teams. In international sports, there is a growing recognition that teams with superior travel strategies that allow for a fresher and better-prepared arrival enjoy a significant competitive advantage.
It is already becoming apparent that the demands on mobility in international sports will continue to increase. Looking ahead to 2026, when, for example, the FIFA World Cup will be held for the first time in three countries (the USA, Canada, and Mexico), it becomes clear that flight solutions must be more interconnected, flexible, and resilient than ever before. Companies that rely on specialized partners like Air Partner remain operational even in a highly dynamic environment and can successfully master the logistical challenges of major global sporting events.
and 