You've put a charter request out and the bids are landing. The numbers look different, the aircraft look different, and the fine print is doing a lot of work. Here are the five things to check before you book - the same things that quietly inflate the final invoice if you don't ask.
1. Insurance and credentials
A legitimate AU charter operator holds a current CASA Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) and carries passenger liability insurance appropriate to the aircraft. Ask for:
- AOC number (verifiable on the CASA register)
- Public liability + passenger liability cover amounts
- Hull insurance on the specific aircraft
If an operator hesitates on any of these, walk away.
2. Operator experience on this route
Hours on type and time in the role matter more than a glossy fleet page. For your specific trip ask:
- How many times has this PIC flown this route in the last 12 months?
- Is the aircraft based locally or being positioned in?
- What's the operator's on-time record for the season you're flying?
Remote and short-strip ops especially reward operators who know the terrain.
3. Aircraft specs - not just the model name
"King Air 350" can mean a 2003 airframe with a tired interior or a refurbished 2018 with Wi-Fi. The model name on the quote is the start, not the end:
- Year of build and last refurbishment
- Cabin configuration (seats, baggage, lavatory)
- Range with your actual pax + bags load
- Speed and typical block time on your route
4. Fuel surcharges and what's actually included
This is where headline prices diverge from final invoices. A quote should clearly break out:
- Aircraft hire (per hour or per leg)
- Fuel and any variable fuel surcharge band
- Positioning / repositioning legs
- Landing fees, parking, and overnight crew costs
- GST
If a line item is missing, it'll appear on the invoice.
5. Cancellation, weather and change policies
Charter weather rules are stricter than commercial. Read the terms before you commit:
- Customer cancellation fees by tier (30+ days, 14 days, 72 hours, 24 hours)
- Operator-initiated cancellation due to weather or tech - is there a rebook or refund?
- Schedule change fees if your meeting moves by a day
Comparing on Hangrr
Quotes through Hangrr come in a single side-by-side view with itemised pricing - aircraft hire, fuel, positioning, fees and GST broken out the same way on every bid. Every operator on the platform is vetted against CASA AOC status and insurance documentation before they can bid, and verified customer reviews sit next to the quote. You see the same line items on every operator, so the comparison is apples-to-apples and the cheapest real number wins.
Request a flight and the bids will start landing inside the hour on most routes.