Charter Chatter (Q&A) with Edouard Stolz
With eight years at Air Charter Service and a career shaped by early fascination and a genuine love for aviation, Edouard Stolz has seen just about everything the charter world can offer. From travelling with rugby and football teams to coordinating multi‑leg world tours, he brings warmth, precision, and a deep sense of responsibility to every flight he oversees.
Edouard, can you tell us about your role at Air Charter Service?
I’m the Director of Commercial Jets based here in Paris, and I’ve been working for ACS for the past eight years.
My job is to deliver a charter experience that goes beyond expectations, to develop our share of the group travel charter market here in France (dealing in aircraft from 20 seats to those for more than 400 passengers), and to make sure that my team of four feel happy and supported by me and the wider business.
What made you choose a career in aviation?
I’ve been interested in aviation from a young age. I grew up five minutes away from a heliport, and used to watch the helicopters take off and land with such interest that I decided that I wanted to work with aircraft in some way, and here we are!
Are there particular industries you specialise in?
For me, I most enjoy, and work mainly with sports teams. Since I joined ACS I’ve felt very fortunate to have a loyal customer set for rugby flights. It’s always thrilling to follow the team, to share in their successes and their failures. You come away with a glimpse into the inner workings of the sport, you see how they really are and how they interact with each other off the pitch, and really experience the tension they feel before and after the game. As a sports fan myself, it’s interesting to see all those small interactions that no one else gets to see – and by extension to feel part of the team by helping make what they do possible!
Do you have a favourite charter you’ve worked on?
I have an account that organises a world tour, with ten legs stopping at historic sites across the globe, departing from and returning to Paris. I’m particularly proud of this account as the projects are really fun to work on. The clients are always extremely happy with the service we provide, and, at the end of the day, that is our primary goal! Some of the people who went on the journey saved up for years, a true bucket list trip – and that really was beautiful to see.
Why should someone use a charter consultant instead of going directly to an airline?
Because brokers are experts in their field. They understand the industry through and through, and can help to predict and anticipate any regulatory requirements, etc. These flights can be complicated, especially on a world tour, or a series of flights, when you’re dealing in multiple legs, and with a number of countries’ aviation authorities. Another big benefit is the network of relationships we have with partners and airlines – often solutions can be found by ringing up contacts and figuring these things out together, a flexibility not covered by direct business with an airline. By using a charter consultant, you have a single point of contact to guide you through the process from beginning to end, and someone who is there for you when airlines aren’t – during evenings, weekends, and holidays.
What sets ACS apart from its competitors?
Beyond our usual selling points of our brokers being on hand 24/7, our operations team, and our global network of offices, I’d say that our training is really what sets us apart from our competitors. ACS ensures that, regardless of which office you work from around the world, you have all been sent to the head office in London, and received exactly the same, thorough training. I’d say as well, for me, the benefit of the global network of offices is something that I appreciate daily. For example, I’ve been arranging a flight to Australia, and I got in touch with Mel (Melissa Rogers – Commercial Jets Director) from our Brisbane office, who has been able to put me in touch with a number of airlines. I also think that we are very strong with our bids and tenders. Because of ACS’s size, there is an element of security that comes with that for our clients, especially around the amount of insurance coverage we offer. The ACS name has a lot of buying power within the industry, and I find that our customers really appreciate this.
What would you say to someone chartering for the first time?
Chartering, and aviation more widely, is much more than transportation, it is about people, and the whole experience you provide with a service. It is important to trust your broker and their expertise, and provide them with as much information as you can before you book. I always try to meet new clients face-to-face when planning a first charter to take them through the process and set expectations – my aim is always that they feel supported from the very first enquiry through to what will hopefully be a lasting professional relationship. I pride myself on testimonials of how good a job we do at ACS, and so I will always offer phone numbers of previous clients (with their permission) for prospective clients to call and discuss their experience and relationship with us, in the hope of cementing that trust from the very beginning.
Finally, just for fun, what’s your favourite aircraft to charter?
I love Airbus’s aircraft, and I’m collecting them like a set! So far, I’ve chartered both the A330 and A340, and so next on the list is the A350!
Planning or organising an event?
Contact Edouard or one of our dedicated charter experts to discuss how we can design a bespoke charter solution around your exacting requirements, transforming your transportation into part of the experience