London - Don Cochran, founder and President of Open Skies Aviation LLC is joining forces with Hunt & Palmer Cargo Charters, based in Crawley, United Kingdom, where his creative input can add value and impact to the team’s operational structure.
Commenting on the appointment, Director Jamie Peters said, “Hunt & Palmer Cargo Charters Ltd (HPCC) are delighted to announce the appointment of Open Skies LLC as cargo charter sales agent for North America. The Hunt & Palmer brand is well established in the USA and since conception we have delivered successful cargo charters to many forwarder clients in the region, however, there still remains a massive potential in the North American market. We believe the partnership with Open Skies, will enable us to reach and service the wider market within the States.”
After 24 years in the GSSA and Charter business, Don knows every move is unique and every customer, from every corner of the globe, is different. The solutions to their needs are just as diverse; one size certainly does not fit all in the fast-paced business of air charters.
From his early days in the US Marine Corps, he learned that solutions do not always come from a book but instead from the creativity of the people presented with the problems, and their ability to find that unique solution the situation demands. These solutions come from years of experience, seeing a variety of problems and long hours of creative thought finding resolve to each challenge.
His experience in the industry is just as varied as the solutions he can provide.
First roles in the business came from accounting manager and later as Controller and Vice President of Finance for Meridian Aviation Services. Moving to sales, he learned how the products he had been accounting for truly served the customers and how each had special needs.
Deciding it was time to move forward, he became Managing Director of Aviation Consultants USA, a small and growing GSSA based in Houston where he added airline customers, grew the base of cargo for customers and created a company known for its honest and direct business approach. The company he left was known as one that could provide solutions to the complex problems of air freight at a moment’s notice. He was known to his customers not just as a GSSA but truly as a consultant to the industry.
Not one rest, Don formed Platinum Air Cargo USA, and with partners in Europe a strong and reliable brand was quickly built. One small office over 10 years grew to nine, and Platinum Air Cargo USA was quickly seen as one of the largest and most professional GSSA companies in the United States. The company was acquired by World Freight Company Investments and rebranded ATC USA, strengthening their platform in the United States and globally.
Seeking a new challenge, Don founded Open Skies Aviation with the intent to provide a second to none service to each customer.
“Partnering with Hunt & Palmer enables me to add my creative approach and contribute even more value to their operational structure. I look forward to offering their clients the most innovative and effective charter solutions on the marketplace.”
