Celebrating Aviation Excellence at Luxaviation UK’s Aviation Polo Cup 2024

Events combining sport, community, and philanthropic causes provide unique opportunities in aviation to unite business leaders and their families. These events often honor aviation’s technological successes and the common ideals of cooperation, tenacity, and giving back to the community. Such events provide a forum for philanthropy, entertainment, and networking, strengthening ties among people and businesses.These events underline the need for unity and the broaderinfluence of aviation beyond the skies, emphasizing unforgettable experiences. Luxavation UK’s Aviation Polo Cup is one such annual event bringing the community and business leaders together.

Luxaviation UK and Castle Air welcomed more than 650 guests to this year’s Aviation Polo Cup at Hurtwood Park Polo Club on Saturday, 14 September. The prestigious eventopened with a display from the Red Devils – the British Army Parachute Display Team – who landed on the polo fields to audience applause.

The polo tournament between the two event hosts, Luxaviation UK and Castle Air, was won by Castle Air, breaking Luxaviation UK’s two-year winning streak. Georgina Brittain, on the  Luxaviation UK team, was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Event sponsor London Biggin Hill Airport awarded the best playing pony to Lovelocks Roxanne, an 11-year-old thoroughbred mare bred by Charlie Hanbury’s Lovelocks stud, played by Beanie Bradley for Castle Air.

George Galanopoulos, CEO of Luxaviation UK mentioned, “This year’s Aviation Polo Cup was an outstanding event, bringing together our community and their families. Both poloteams were excellent and put on a terrific show for our excited guests – big congratulations go to Castle Air for their win.”

With a charity auction, the event raised money for Fly2Help, a charity dedicated to transforming lives through the power of flight. Louis XIII Cognac, Silverstone Distillery, Huntsman Suits, Tank4Hire, and International Property and Travel provided the prizes. Luxaviation Collection by La Fugue also donated an exclusive raffle prize of a Paris experience for two.

Guests could also view Castle Air’s London Biggin Hill-Battersea heli shuttle, sit in Hemmels’ luxurious cars, such as the 280SL Bentley Blue and the 190SL Olympic Studios car, and enjoy a tethered hot air balloon ride from Atmosphere Hot Air Balloons and Granada. Martin Bell and Simply Red musicians provided live music alongside a spectacular drone display featuring jets, helicopters, and clinking glasses.

Patrick Hansen, Luxaviation Group CEO, said, “Luxaviationis a proud host of this excellent event, and I’d like to thank our UK team and partners who worked very hard to make it all possible – they delivered a fantastic and fun day for our industry.”

Since 1964, the Luxaviation Group has been tailoring private travel experiences for a global clientele. Founded by André Ganshof van der Meersch, a Belgian entrepreneur, pilot, and nobleman, the group’s 60-year history takes flight with its commitment to creating excellence through innovative private aviation experiences. 

Luxaviation Group comprises several notable aviation brands, including Luxaviation, Starspeed, and ExecuJet. The group’s 1300 employees work in an around-the-clock operation on five continents, delivering services in the areas of aircraft management for private and commercial aircraft, private air charter services, and managing an FBO network of over 140 facilities worldwide. 

The group has leveraged its global perspective, carrying the value of its founder into its transformation as the world’s premier luxury experience travel company. Through developing bespoke luxury travel packages in private jets, various ventures, fine wines, and Luxaviation Client Service Training Academy, the group evolves its brand in keeping with the ever-changing luxury travel landscape.  

Luxaviation Group considers corporate sustainability as an integral part of its business strategy. The company integrates sustainability into its decision-making processes, handling social and environmental concerns and seeking to improve its operations.