Saxon Air has been named Helicopter Operator of the Year at the Air Charter Association Awards 2026, securing the accolade for the third time in five years as the UK aviation company continues to expand its helicopter charter operations.
The award recognises excellence across the air charter industry and marks another significant milestone for the family-owned business, which has undergone a period of substantial growth, fleet investment and operational expansion.
Earlier this year, Saxon Air became the UK’s largest onshore helicopter charter operator, underlining its growing presence in the British rotary aviation sector. The achievement has been supported by investment in additional aircraft, including multiple AgustaWestland AW109 and Leonardo AW139 helicopters, alongside the expansion of its specialist operations team.
Operating from strategically positioned bases across the UK, Saxon Air provides helicopter charter services for business, leisure and specialist travel. Its operations offer customers flexible, tailored connections to destinations where direct helicopter travel can provide a practical alternative to conventional transport.
The latest award follows previous successes in 2022 and 2023, making the 2026 result the company’s third win in the category within five years.
Jordan Smith, Head of Rotary Operations at Saxon Air, said: “Winning the Air Charter Association’s Helicopter Operator of the Year for the third time in five years is an incredible honour and a powerful validation of our team’s relentless hard work. This milestone crowns a truly transformative year for Saxon Air, marked by the strategic expansion of our fleet with multiple AgustaWestland A109 and Leonardo AW139 aircraft, alongside the growth of our talented operations team.
“As we continue to scale our capabilities, this recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to safety, service excellence and innovation in rotary aviation. We are immensely proud of how far we’ve come, and with our momentum continuing to build, the future ahead is exceptionally bright.”
The helicopter award adds to an already successful year for Saxon Air. In September, the company received two further accolades at the Aviation Industry Awards UK 2026, winning Aviation Company of the Year and the Sustainability & Environmental Award.
The latter recognised the company’s investment in more sustainable aviation infrastructure through its Solar Plane Port and SKYCHARGE project, highlighting its efforts to combine business growth with environmental considerations.
Together, the awards reflect Saxon Air’s ambitions across both its fixed-wing and rotary operations, as it continues to invest in its facilities, aircraft and people.
With further development planned for its helicopter business, the company says it will focus on strengthening its operational capabilities, extending its reach and maintaining high standards of safety and customer service.
Its latest success at the Air Charter Association Awards provides further recognition of Saxon Air’s position in the UK’s competitive charter market, as demand for specialist aviation services continues to create opportunities for operators offering flexible, tailored travel solutions.