17 December 2025 – Montreal — The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) welcomes two leading business aviation operations to its Industry Partner Programme (IPP). Saxon Air and Sonoma Aviation now round out the IBAC partner community of 28 IPP members and 14 Member Associations.

Saxon Air is a successful UK-based jet and helicopter charter operation with a state-of-the-art flight training programme that uses a fleet of EASA-certified electric powered trainer aircraft. Saxon Air is the first IPP hailing from the East Anglia region of England.

Another first, Sonoma Aviation became the first IPP member based on the west coast in the US with California locations in the wine country in Sonoma and a second location in the southern part of the state in Carlsbad. In addition to providing FBO management and contract fuel services, Sonoma Aviation works with the business aviation industry to deliver exceptional aircraft maintenance, as well as real estate development and management services.

“It is a privilege to welcome these two innovative businesses to the Industry Partner Programme,” stated Kurt Edwards, Director General of IBAC. “Both Saxon Air and Sonoma Aviation represent business aviation’s spirit and commitment to excellence with the diverse services they provide to their clients. We thank them for their partnership and look forward to their participation in supporting IBAC’s advocacy endeavors.”

Alex Durand, Saxon Air Chief Executive Officer, commented, “As a UK-based jet and helicopter management and charter operator, also providing FBO, hangar and flight training services, Saxon Air is proud to join IBAC as an Industry Partner Programme member. Supporting IBAC’s global advocacy work at ICAO closely aligns with our commitment to service excellence, safety and innovation. As a UK CAA-approved provider of zero- and low-emissions flight training, supported by dedicated solar-powered charging infrastructure, we look forward to contributing practical insight as the industry addresses both today’s challenges and its transition to a more sustainable future.”

“We believe that supporting and engaging with the IBAC team to advocate for business aviation and aviation safety on a global scale is important. IBAC’s recognized voice ensures that smaller, dynamic aviation businesses like ours are heard. As an early adopter of IS-BAH and having completed IS-BAH Stage 3, I urge other aviation businesses to join IBAC and support its important mission,” stated Timothy Obitts, President & General Counsel of Sonoma Aviation.

The new partners join a diverse and growing roster of organizations committed to supporting IBAC’s mission. The top-tier operators, service providers, and technology leaders include:

4Air, Bombardier, CAE, Corporate Jet Investor, CST Flight Services, Daher, Elite Wings, Gama Aviation, Jet Aviation, Luxaviation, MD ONBOARD, MedAire, NERD.aero, Rolland Vincent Associates (RVA), Synerjet Aviation, UAS International Trip Support, and Universal Weather & Aviation. Additional business aviation operator affiliates include Affinity Aviation Group, Dell Technologies, Dupont, ECHO3, Execaire Aviation, Flightworx Aviation, GCI Communications, Joby Aviation, and Starlink Aviation to round out the active Industry Partners.

To learn more about the Industry Partner Programme, or IBAC’s globally recognized IS-BAO and IS-BAH safety programmes, and other key initiatives, visit IBAC.org.

About International Business Aviation Council (IBAC)

IBAC represents the interests of business aviation worldwide. IBAC is a non-profit, international trade association with official observer status at the International Civil Aviation Organization, the UN Specialized Agency for aviation matters, in Montreal, Canada. IBAC promotes and manages the industry-leading standards for best safety practices through its International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO^TM); International Standard for Business Aviation Handling (IS-BAH^TM); Safety Management Tool Kit; SMS eLearning training; and Crew Card. Recently introduced in partnership with CTX, the IBAC Carbon Credit Exchange provides the business aviation community with a reliable resource for real-time offsetting to reduce its carbon footprint. More details at IBAC.org.

Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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BBGA House of Commons Reception

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British Business and General Aviation Association

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British Business and General Aviation Association

Alison Chambers

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver