Post published:15/11/2023
Post category:Latest Member News
Reading time:6 mins read

Air bp has expanded its operations through its Joint Venture, air bp-Jio in India with a new fuel facility at the all-new Rajkot International Airport. The business has completed 575 fuellings since it went live at the end of September 2023.

Air bp, the international aviation fuel products and service supplier, is pleased to share news that it has expanded its operations through the Joint Venture (JV), air bp-Jio, in India with a new fuel facility at the brand-new Rajkot International Airport (Hirasar).

Rajkot International Airport (HSR/VAHS) is an international hub and a greenfield airport at Hirasar in the state of Gujarat, serving the city of Rajkot and the Saurashtra region. Owned by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), it is capable of handling around 2800 passengers during peak hours. It is air bp-Jio’s 31st airport location in India.

Air bp-Jio began fuelling operations at Rajkot International Airport at the end of September with 575 fuellings completed to date. Air bp-Jio worked to a tight schedule to secure regulatory approvals and deliver fueling facilities at Rajkot International Airport in good time for the airport to officially begin operations on September 10, after it was inaugurated on 27 July by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. This represents phase one of air bp-Jio’s new facility at Rajkot International Airport and follows the Indian Government’s decision to develop the airport into a large international airport to keep pace with demand.

India has the third largest domestic aviation market globally and is poised to become the third largest and one of the fastest growing aviation markets after the US and China. The country is currently home to some 140 operational airports. It is anticipated that this figure will grow to 220 in the near term which represents a rapid expansion up from 74 airports in 2014.

“Air bp-Jio excelled in making the fuel station ready in a short space of time with all regulatory compliances and approvals. The successful commencement of flight operations at Rajkot International Airport was very much dependent on air bp-Jio’s service. The team worked hard and met the target, as promised,” said, Diganta Borah, airport director, Rajkot International Airport.

Earlier this year, air bp-Jio was voted the best fuel provider in India by the International Council of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). This underlines air bp-Jio’s efforts to provide an enhanced and more efficient fuelling service in India with a strategy focused on safety, on-time performance, digitized fuelling services, and supply reliability. The air bp-Jio JV aims to be the partner of choice for all stakeholders in the aviation fuel business in the country.

Air bp-Jio team members on the tarmac
at Rajkot International Airport, India

Photo credit: Air bp-Jio

About Air bp 

As the aviation division of bp, Air bp is one of the world’s leading suppliers of aviation fuel products and services. It has been investing in the aviation industry for more than 90 years to keep people flying safely around the world. In 2019 we supplied over 6.7 billion gallons of aviation fuel, fuelling over 7,000 flights per day at over 700 locations in more than 55 countries – that’s more than five planes a minute. 
 
Its customers include commercial airlines, the military, business and private aircraft owners, airports and airfield operators. Air bp has a wide range of services to support its fuel offer including the design, build and operation of fuelling facilities, technical consultancy and training, solutions to potentially help customers with direct and indirect carbon emissions savings, the Sterling card for efficient general aviation refuelling and innovative digital platforms to increase efficiency and reduce risk. 

For more information, go to www.airbp.com 
 
Emerald Media, tel. +44 1420 560094 / liz.danner@emeraldmedia.co.uk 

What Our Members Say

We are a small family owned and run business that the introduction of new measures by BF would have caused severe financial hardship. I was recommended to ask BBGA for advice which they instantly gave even though we were not members. They attended various meetings by my side, took the situation to a higher level within the Government department and helped me achieve a satisfactory outcome. I wasn’t pressured to become a member but what became apparent was their genuine desire to help resolve aviation issues for the better of the community. This association covers almost every aspect of the industry, has representation on the majority of decision making panels and achieves results by either diluting possible harmful legislation or stopping it altogether. Its members receive updates in real time often leaving other associations to ‘cut and paste’ BBGA releases some time later.

Inflite The Jet Centre Ltd.Penny Stephens, Director

BBGA is the main business and general aviation industry Association in the UK. It represents a wide range of services and operators. It’s contribution to fairly represent our interests with the regulators and government departments as well as other associations is absolutely essential. The various BBGA events throughout the year are a great opportunity for everyone to network and discuss the current industry affairs and issues BBGA’s ability to bring together all sectors of UK general and business aviation gives us enviable networking access. Nobody has the ear of the regulator like BBGA and that’s two-way thing; BBGA is not just able to elicit answers from EASA, the CAA and DfT, its advice and recommendations are sought both nationally and supra-nationally too. That makes membership a vital way to influence upcoming policy.

Luxaviation United Kingdom, London Executive Aviation LtdGeorge Galanopoulos, CEO & Managing Director

The BBGA is the key trade body for UK business aviation, helping us keep up-to-date with developments and in contact with the wider UK bizav community. Everyone with any interest in UK business aviation should be a member

Clyde & CoMark Bisset Partner,

From first contact, to membership, to attending the 2021 Virtual Conference, I received a warm welcome for which I am extremely grateful. The mix of technical and strategic content re-enforced the decision to attend and was the right one at the right time for our business."

Sky Harbour UK LtdSteve Ford, Director

Collectivism
Member Company Benefits
Promotion
Information
Accreditation
Dual Membership with EBAA
Other Member Benefits

c/o Gravita Oxford LLP, First Floor, Park Central, 40-41 Park End Street, Oxford, OX1 1JD. +44 (0)20 4566 9353 - enquiries@bbga.aero

British Business and General Aviation Association

Don`t copy text!

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.

Our Number has changed:

What Our Members Say

Join BBGA

British Business and General Aviation Association

What Our Members Say

Join BBGA

British Business and General Aviation Association

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver