Christine Vamvakas
An FAA-Licensed Dispatcher, Christine Vamvakas is an expert in all areas of trip support services, including TSA Waivers, international visa requirements, aircraft fuel ranges, operations in Greece, and charter operations throughout Europe. A native of Greece, Christine is fluent in Greek and has more than a decade's experience working in trip support services with Universal Weather and Aviation, Inc. Having served as Master Trip Owner and Team Lead for Universal's Charter Management Team, Christine has facilitated thousands of international trip legs and uses that experience in her role as Universal's Thought Leadership Manager. Her expert commentary has been included in multiple business aviation publications.
You can reach Christine at christinevamvakas@univ-wea.com.
Archive for Christine Vamvakas
Canada Formula 1 Grand Prix – Tips for Business Aircraft Operators
Several good airport options are available for business aircraft operators intending to visit the Canada Formula 1 Grand Prix which runs July 7-9 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneaux in Montreal. Here’s some information to help you with your trip planning: 1. There are 3 primary airports to consider for the Canada F1 Grand Prix Three [...]
Business Aircraft Ops to the UEFA Europa League Final in Amsterdam
The 2013 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Europa League Final will be the final match of the 2012-2013 UEFA Europa League – the 42nd season of Europe’s secondary club tournament. The match will take place at the Amsterdam Arena on May 15, 2013. Because of increased business aviation and general traffic for this event, [...]
Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix – Tips for Business Aircraft Operators
The Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix will be held April 19-21 at the Bahrain F1 circuit. Because of increased business aviation and general traffic for this event, it’s best to begin organizing your trip as soon as possible. Here is some information to help you with your planning: 1. There are 3 primary airports to [...]
Flying to the Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix
This year’s Formula 1 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix will be held March 22nd-24th at the Sepang International circuit, located about 60 km south of Kuala Lumpur. Business aircraft operators planning to attend the Grand Prix should make arrangements for Malaysian permits, aircraft ground services, and hotel accommodations as early as possible. 1. There are two [...]
8 Tips for Flying to the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix
This year’s Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix will be held 15-17 March at the Albert Park circuit, south of Melbourne. There are three airport options for business jet operators traveling to this event. The Australian Grand Prix is a busy period and draws large crowds. Best options, in terms of aircraft parking and hotel accommodations, [...]
Business Aviation Operations to the Brazil Formula 1 Grand Prix
This year’s Formula 1 Grande Premio Petrobas Do Brasil Grand Prix will be held November 23 – 25 at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace circuit, located south of Sao Paulo. The city will come alive during this event, and demand for business aviation and related services will be higher than normal. Best options in terms [...]
Flying to the Austin Formula 1 Grand Prix
This year’s U.S. Formula 1 Grand Prix will be held November 16th-18th on an all-new, purpose-built track at the Circuit of the Americas southeast of the Texas capital of Austin. The new 3.427-mile track will feature a selection of corner sequences inspired by the best Grand Prix venues. The Austin Grand Prix will be busy, [...]
Tips for Business Aircraft Operators Flying to the UAE for the Formula 1 Grand Prix
This year’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be held November 2nd-4th at the Yas Marina circuit located on Yas Island. Abu Dhabi City will come alive during this event, and demand for business aviation services and other related travel accommodations will run high. An anticipated sell-out crowd of over 50,000 spectators [...]
Aviation Safety: SMS Solutions Worksheet
Aviation Safety Management Systems (SMS) are an ICAO requirement. By not having a verifiable SMS in place, business jet operators may face denial of landing permits and other issues. As this requirement will eventually impact all business jet operators, both private non-revenue and charter (non-scheduled commercial) [...]
Business Aviation + Cars: Flying to the Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix
This year’s Korean Formula 1 Grand Prix will be held 12-13 October at the Korea International Circuit in the South Jeolla region – southwestern part of the Republic of Korea (commonly referred to as South Korea). This circuit is some distance from Seoul, but there are four suggested airport options for business jet operators who [...]
Business Aircraft Operations to Singapore for the Grand Prix
The 2012 Formula 1 Singtel Singapore Grand Prix takes place 21 – 23 September on a race circuit in the heart of the city. Two convenient airports are available for business jet operators wishing to attend. Best alternatives, in terms of aircraft parking and hotel accommodations, will be available to those who book as early [...]
8 Tips for Flying Your Aircraft to Paris for Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week takes place September 27 – October 5, 2012. This is a period when demand for hotel accommodations, local transportation and business aviation support services can be much higher than the norm. Work with your 3rd-party provider and local ground handler as early as possible to secure best available options, from aircraft parking [...]
9 Tips for Bizav Operations to Italy for the Italian Grand Prix in September
The Italian Grand Prix is one of the oldest and most historic Grand Prix events. The first Italian Grand Prix was held in 1921 in Brescia, Italy – the first such race to be held outside France – and today the world- renowned event takes place at the Grand Prix circuit in Monza. The 2012 [...]
8 Must-Knows for Flying to the Belgium Grand Prix
This year’s Belgium Grand Prix takes place August 31 through September 2 at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. As the Belgium Grand Prix draws considerable business aviation traffic to the region, it’s recommended that you plan early if you will be flying in for the event. Here are some important things to consider in your planning: 1. [...]
Tips on Flying Your Business Aircraft to the German Grand Prix
The German Formula 1 Grand Prix takes place this year July 20 – 22 at the Hockenheim race track, located between Frankfurt and Stuttgart. The new Hockenheim ring is one of the fastest circuits in Formula 1 and features one of the best facilities in the Formula 1 series of races. While Hockenheim does not [...]
7 Tips for Business Jet Operators Flying to the British Grand Prix
The 2012 Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix takes place at Silverstone, which is about 90 minutes northwest of London, on July 6 – 8, 2012. Few sporting occasions match the intensity, glamour, and drama of the Formula 1 Santander British Grand Prix, and visitors can look forward to a full weekend of great racing. [...]
7 Tips on Flying Your Jet to the Farnborough Air Show
The Farnborough International Airshow takes place every other year in even numbered years, and it’s one of the world’s largest aviation trade shows, with 1,400-plus exhibitors and more than 120,000 attendees. This year, trade days are July 9-13, followed by public days on the July 14-15 weekend. Farnborough always draws a lot of traffic to [...]
Flying Your Business Jet to the Venice International Film Festival
This year’s 69th Annual Venice International Film Festival runs from 29 August through 8 September 2012. Every year, Venice sees an influx of aircraft traffic during this mid-summer festival. Throughout this time period, you should expect possible airport and city congestion. As always, business aircraft operators should take steps to plan ahead. Here are some [...]
UEFA Euro 2012: Tips for Business Jet Operators Flying to Poland and Ukraine
The 2012 UEFA European Football Championship (“EURO 2012”) will be hosted in eight different cities across Poland and Ukraine between 8 June and 1 July 2012. This championship tournament occurs only once every four years, so business jet operators should expect high traffic and take extra steps to plan ahead if operating to any of [...]
