New approximately 10,000-square-foot hangar expands capabilities at Costa Rica’s first and only General Aviation Terminal

SAN JOSÉ, COSTA RICA – September 16, 2026 – Universal Aviation, an Evans Aviation company, announced today that GAT SJO, the consortium that manages Costa Rica’s first and only General Aviation Terminal at Juan Santamaría International Airport (MROC/SJO), has secured an approximately 10,000-square-foot aircraft hangar for general aviation use following a competitive airport process conducted by AERIS, the airport operator.

The addition gives Universal Aviation Costa Rica the ability to offer access to the only hangar at MROC currently available for general aviation use, including transient, overnight, weekend and longer-term stays, adding an important new capability for business aircraft owners and operators in San José.

The hangar can accommodate a midsize business aircraft along with a smaller aircraft, depending on aircraft dimensions and configuration, and also includes adjacent office space.

“This is an important strategic addition for business aviation in Costa Rica,” said Adolfo Aragón, CEO of Universal Aviation. “Since opening Costa Rica’s first GAT in San José, we’ve continued working closely with AERIS, local authorities, and our partners to strengthen the infrastructure and support available to business aviation. Adding hangar capability is another step forward and means we can now offer operators something unique at MROC – access to both the country’s first and only GAT and hangar space at the same airport.”

GAT SJO opened in December 2019 as Costa Rica’s first dedicated General Aviation Terminal, creating a private facility for international business aviation passengers and crews at the country’s primary San José gateway.

Universal Aviation Costa Rica provides IS-BAH Stage 2 accredited ground support at MROC, with services including ground handling, CIQ coordination, flight planning, ground transportation, catering coordination, permit support, and other mission requirements.

PRESS RELEASE

The new hangar further strengthens Universal Aviation’s business aviation offering in Costa Rica and provides aircraft owners and operators with a new option for transient, overnight, weekend and longer-term hangarage at MROC.

Hangar availability inquiries are now being accepted for transient and longer-term needs. Operators and aircraft owners interested in availability and additional details can contact Universal Aviation Costa Rica.

About Universal Aviation

Universal Aviation, an Evans Aviation Company, provides dedicated ground support for business aircraft through a global network of GATs, FBOs, ground handlers, supervisory agents, and VIP agents at 75+ locations across 20+ countries. Backed by over 65 years of aviation excellence, Universal Aviation is trusted worldwide for its commitment to safety, compliance, and exceptional service – helping operators navigate the last 100 yards of every mission with confidence. Learn more at www.universalaviation.aero.

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 career in aviation and has worked in most areas of our industry with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc currently 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 Continued Airworthiness Group and with the Association for Remotely Piloted Aviation Services (ARPAS). 

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 six years to continue our good work for industry. With the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to undertake this work with the regulator including regular discussions and a full industry day with the CAA each year.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum, which allows industry in the UK to discuss the financial plans for the CAA and look closely at the services being delivered to industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

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. 

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. Moving into 2026 we are seeking to further develop the pathways to enter aviation, and this effort is being supported with development of multimedia platforms with the organisation Metaverse. This multimedia approach is being developed so that it is more relatable to the next generation of people wishing to join aviation in a myriad of roles.

In the role of President (honorary) Marc can support the BBGA in many aspects and continue to ensure that we retain the right connections across industry, with regulators in the UK, regulators in the EU and wherever possible help hold government and its departments to account using normal channels, and where necessary utilise All Party-Political Groups for aviation.

James Carroll

Alison Chambers

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver