Global aircraft charter specialist Chapman Freeborn, part of the Avia Solutions Group, has appointed long-serving Russi Batliwala as its new chairman and welcomed back Eric Erbacher to replace him as CEO.
Batliwala, one of the most well-known faces in the aircraft charter industry, began his journey with the company as a trainee aviation broker 33 years ago and has overseen an exciting period of growth and expansion since becoming CEO in 2009.
Eric Erbacher, who arrives from Cargolux Airlines where he was Director Charter Services & ACMI, previously spent three years working for Chapman Freeborn as Regional Director Asia and returns with a remit to continue the company’s growth strategy.
The appointments come at an exciting time for the business, which was acquired by Avia Solutions Group, in October 2019.
Chapman Freeborn recently added German-based Arcus Air Logistics and Arcus Air OBC from the Arcus Air Group to its portfolio and increased its fleet of B747s with its UK-based Magma Aviation. The Chapman Freeborn Group offering includes freighter aircraft, passenger aircraft charter, private jet charter, on-board courier and specialist equine and animal transportation.
