International flight support services coordinate the operational, regulatory and logistical requirements surrounding a flight. Depending on the mission, this can include flight planning, overflight and landing permits, slots and PPR, ground handling, aviation fuel, crew logistics and diversion support. Aviation Services Management (ASM) provides international flight support through its Dubai-based 24/7 operations desk.
What does a flight support company do?
A flight support company gives an operator one coordination point for services that may otherwise involve several authorities, airports, handlers and suppliers. It does not replace the aircraft operator, pilot-in-command, authority or local service provider. Its role is to gather requirements, coordinate confirmations, monitor changes and keep the operational parties aligned.
What services can international flight support include?
| Service | Operational purpose |
|---|---|
| Flight planning | Route, weather, NOTAM, fuel and alternate planning support |
| Flight permits | Coordination of required overflight, landing and related clearances |
| Slots and PPR | Airport capacity and prior-permission coordination |
| Ground handling | Local handling, parking, ramp and passenger-service coordination |
| Aviation fuel | Quotation, release, supplier confirmation and uplift coordination |
| HOTAC and transport | Crew accommodation and ground-transport arrangements |
| Diversion support | Rapid coordination at an alternate airport |
Who uses flight support services?
Flight support is used by scheduled and non-scheduled airlines, cargo operators, charter companies, business-aviation flight departments, private operators and approved special-mission operations. The scope should be matched to the aircraft, route, schedule, passenger or cargo profile and operator procedures.
What information is needed to start trip support?
- Operator, aircraft type and registration
- Complete schedule in UTC
- Departure, destination, alternates and proposed routing
- Flight purpose and commercial status
- Passenger, crew or cargo requirements
- Required permits, handling, fuel and ancillary services
- Billing and operational contact details
Why is one coordination point useful?
A schedule change can affect permits, slots, parking, handling, fuel, CIQ and crew duty at the same time. Central coordination makes the dependencies visible and reduces the risk that one supplier is working from an outdated schedule.
What remains the operator’s responsibility?
The operator and pilot-in-command retain their regulatory and operational responsibilities. Authority approvals, airport acceptance and supplier availability are controlled by the relevant third parties. A support provider coordinates these requirements but should not describe them as guaranteed.
How does a trip move from request to confirmed support?
Define the scope. Agree which services the support desk will coordinate and which the operator will arrange directly. For a multi-sector trip, specify requirements at each airport, including technical stops. Identify the operational contact, the person authorised to approve costs and any fixed arrival or departure commitments.
Track each confirmation. Use a station-by-station record for permits, slots, handling, fuel and crew services. Mark items as requested, pending information or confirmed, with references and conditions. An accepted handling request should not be used as a substitute for checking the separate parking or fuel arrangements.
Review the trip before handover. Share the latest itinerary, provider contacts and unresolved items with the operator. Agree who will monitor changes and when the next update is due. The operator should be able to see which parts of the trip are ready and which still need a decision.
What should a flight support quotation explain?
Ask the provider to distinguish coordination fees from airport, authority, handler and supplier charges. Confirm the currency, taxes, payment terms, cancellation conditions and any estimated costs awaiting local confirmation. A quotation for one station or service should not be interpreted as covering the complete itinerary.
For recurring trips, agree how amendments are instructed and recorded. For ad hoc movements, identify any prepayment or document requirements early. Our guides to fuel quotations and aircraft ground handling explain two common areas where comparing the included services matters.
What happens after the flight?
Close the trip with the agreed service records, reported exceptions and invoice queries. Record a missed confirmation or unsuitable service as a specific issue, including the station and flight reference. That gives the next planning team information it can use when arranging a repeat movement, rather than leaving the lesson in an email thread.
How ASM provides international trip support
Founded in 1998, Aviation Services Management coordinates flight support through a 24/7 operations desk and a network covering more than 3,000 locations in 86 countries. Requests can be handled as individual services or as one integrated trip-support movement.
Flight support FAQs
Is flight support the same as ground handling?
No. Ground handling covers airport-side services; flight support coordinates the wider operation before, during and after the movement.
Can flight support be requested for one service only?
Yes. An operator may request permits, fuel or handling separately, subject to the requirements of the movement.
Is support available 24/7?
ASM’s operations desk is available 24/7, although authority and supplier working hours still affect individual requests.
Can ASM support a diversion?
Yes. ASM can coordinate handling, fuel, permits and crew or passenger requirements at an alternate, subject to local acceptance.
Reviewed September 2026. Airport, authority and supplier requirements should be confirmed for each operation.
Request support: visit Flight Support or email sales@asm.aero.
Keep Your Flight Operations Moving Worldwide
From flight planning and permits to ground handling, aviation fuel, diversion support and crew logistics, ASM coordinates the operational requirements surrounding every sector through 24/7 global support.