Air Charter Services saw a major acceleration in its time-critical activity last year, with its next-flight-out offering emerging as the standout performer in a market shaped by geopolitical volatility and supply chain disruption.
The company said its NFO business recorded a 175% year-on-year increase in shipments during 2025, reflecting growing demand from customers needing fast and flexible transport options in an unpredictable trading environment.
Robert Alleman, chief executive of ACS Time Critical, said all three of the division’s core services — next-flight-out, on-board courier and integrated road transport — delivered strong growth, but NFO was the clear leader.
According to Alleman, recent geopolitical developments, tariff changes, supply chain disturbances and rapidly shifting market conditions have made NFO an increasingly valuable solution across a wide range of industries. He added that IATA Cargo Accreditation gives ACS direct access to capacity on almost any airline, allowing the business to secure bookings more quickly and improve efficiency for both the team and its customers.
In 2024, ACS brought in Ash McCook specifically to help develop the NFO product, a move that appears to have supported the rapid expansion seen last year.
The company’s on-board courier activity also posted record results, rising 85% in 2025, while its US ground transportation department, which arranges trucking for cargo customers, reported a 53% increase in bookings.
Dan Morgan-Evans, ACS group cargo director, said the business restructured its time-critical leadership team last year, with Alleman taking over as head of the division and Andreas Spies moving into the chief operating officer role. He said that reorganisation has delivered clear results and added that the future for ACS Time Critical looks positive as the company continues to expand the team after a year of strong progress.
