Chapman Freeborn, a global specialist in air chartering services including humanitarian and emergency relief, was an exhibitor at the 17th Global Humanitarian Aviation Conference (GHAC). The event, which is organized by the World Food Programme (WFP), took place in Istanbul from October 15th to 17th. Attending and exhibiting at GHAC was an opportunity for Chapman Freeborn to consolidate its position as a go-to partner for global humanitarian response and aid air chartering.
GHAC is an annual 3-day event organized by the WFP, the world’s largest humanitarian organization and part of the United Nations. Chapman Freeborn has been a close partner of the WFP for decades, chartering multiple missions for the agency. Attending the event was recognition of Chapman Freeborn’s standing within the global humanitarian aviation ecosystem and its long-term partnership with the WFP. This year the company was represented at GHAC by Ekaterina Andreeva, Head of Business Development – Cargo; Catriona Taylor, Group Operations & Supplier Relations Director; Tohir Choriev, Head of Government & Humanitarian Projects – IMEA; David Selby, Manager Flight Support; and Huseyn Mammadli, Senior Cargo Broker and Operations Coordinator.
The event provided an opportunity for Chapman Freeborn to connect face-to-face with many of the NGOs and carriers it partners with. “Over two decades, we have built trusted relationships with the WFP and many other NGOs. Our work in this sector has evolved from ad hoc support to strategic-level partnerships that enable coordinated, scalable humanitarian missions worldwide. GHAC is a vital platform for collaboration and innovation in humanitarian aviation, and our strong presence at the event allowed us to engage with key stakeholders and explore new ways to enhance emergency response and aid delivery,” comments Bernardo Nunes, COO of Chapman Freeborn.
Day one of the event was focused on funding challenges currently being experienced in the sector, with dedicated sessions on ensuring operational continuity and adapting to reduced humanitarian funding. According to Ekaterina Andreeva, attendees discussed creative solutions for navigating the challenges being experienced at present. “It was interesting to hear examples from prominent NGOs as to how they are consolidating shipments. By combining their purchasing power and jointly managing capacity they are maximising the value they can get. From a chartering perspective, we are ready to leverage our strong connections with carriers and our global network – we have offices in over 30 countries – to support shipment consolidation for NGOs,” she explains.
Day 2 of the event was dedicated to future trends and developments in humanitarian aviation. This included sessions on business opportunities, and how innovation and technology can support humanitarian aviation operations. “For conflict areas or remote locations, drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being increasingly used, and this will be an area to watch in the future. More generally, it was noted that growing climate instability and geopolitical uncertainty will increase the demand for humanitarian aviation,” comments Ekaterina Andreeva. “At Chapman Freeborn we advocate for agility, safety, and collaboration. As global crises intensify, our focus remains on proactive planning, resilient logistics, and empowering partners to deliver aid where it is needed most,” adds Bernardo Nunes.
Overall, Chapman Freeborn’s presence at GHAC affirmed its strong commitment to humanitarian aviation. “One of our very first charters was a humanitarian mission, and this vertical remains one of the most important for our company. We are long-term supporters of the WFP and other humanitarian agencies,” says Ekaterina Andreeva. “Our presence at GHAC reinforced our commitment to global relief efforts and allowed us to showcase our expertise in delivering critical aid through strategic air charter solutions. Attending this event enabled us to strengthen partnerships, share operational insights, and highlight our global capabilities in humanitarian logistics,” concludes Bernardo Nunes.
