Melissa Rogers manages ACS Brisbane’s Commercial Jets team. She shares her path into aviation, working on the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and her love of the A380.
Charter Chatter with Melissa Rogers
Melissa Rogers heads up the Commercial Jets division for Air Charter Service in Australia, delivering tailored charter solutions for clients across mining, government, sport, and corporate. Whether it’s fast-moving resources logistics or a high-profile global event, her focus is the same: moving beyond traditional broking to position ACS as a genuine charter management partner.
We caught up with Melissa to talk about an unlikely start in aviation, the behind-the-scenes effort behind one of the biggest sporting events on the planet, and why a dedicated consultant earns their keep the moment plans change.
Melissa, please can you tell us about your role at Air Charter Service?
I lead the Commercial Jets division for ACS in Australia, working with clients across mining, government, sport, and corporate to build charter solutions around what they actually need. My role spans both sales and delivery – unpicking complex travel requirements, sourcing the right aircraft anywhere in the world, and seeing it through with our 24/7 operations and flight services teams. The thread running through all of it is moving past traditional broking and acting as a true charter management partner.
Why did you choose a career in aviation?
Honestly? The Virgin Blue uniform! I loved it! But the moment I started my first role, I realised aviation is far bigger than anything you see from the outside – the coordination, the pace, the constant problem-solving. It’s an industry where things never stop moving and the decisions you make genuinely count!
Can you tell us one of the projects/charters you are most proud to have worked on?
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 was a career milestone. An event on that scale brings a different order of pressure, tight timelines, constant changes, and very little margin for error. What stayed with me was just how much behind-the-scenes coordination it took to keep everything moving seamlessly. Demanding, but hugely rewarding to play a part in something that held the world’s attention and showed what aviation can do at its best.
Is there a particular industry that you personally specialise in?
Government and resources. The mining side is operationally complex and relentlessly fast-paced, but some of my most rewarding work sits in government, especially the programmes that support education outcomes. Knowing a charter we’ve arranged helps connect people to opportunity in the most remote parts of Australia is a real driver for me.
Why should someone use a charter consultant instead of going directly to an airline?
Most charter operators only offer their own aircraft. A consultant gives you access to the entire market, across aircraft types, operators, and regions, so you’re not limited to a single solution.
More importantly, we manage the full process: sourcing; compliance checks; contracting; and real-time operational oversight. When something changes, and in aviation it often does, you have a team actively managing the outcome rather than leaving it with a single provider.
What sets Air Charter Service apart from others in the industry?
Scale and structure. We arrange tens of thousands of charters worldwide every year, which gives us real market access and buying power. But the bigger difference is how we’re built – around 24/7 operations, in-house compliance, structured reporting, and absolute transparency. Clients aren’t simply booking flights; they’re being given visibility, control, and consistency across an entire programme. We’re increasingly operating as a charter management company as well as a broker, and that raises the level of support and accountability we can offer.
What would you say to someone chartering for the first time?
Know what matters most to you – timing, budget, flexibility – and ask plenty of questions. Charter is endlessly customisable, so the clearer your priorities, the better the result. Also, don’t assume it’s taxing from start to finish, as, with the right support, it’s usually far more straightforward than people expect.
Finally, just for fun, what’s your favourite aircraft to charter?
The Airbus A380. The sheer size is hard not to be impressed by – but it’s really the cabin that sets the aircraft apart from others. It’s a completely different experience to most of what we work with day to day.
Planning or organising an event?
Contact Melissa or one of our dedicated charter experts to discuss how we can design a bespoke charter solution around your exacting requirements, transforming your transportation into part of the experience.