BBGA Builds on Momentum Through 2023 - BBGA Association Limited

With the 2021/2022 pandemic years now in the rear view mirror our industry is well on its way to full recovery and your association is firmly in step, embracing innovation, technology and tackling all regulatory challenges.

Business and general aviation has always been agile and responsive to changing conditions, more so than any other transport sector. While we have our issues – not least with public perception, future workforce, the path to net zero – from ensuring we secure our share of sustainable aviation fuel to planning infrastructure for next generation, alternative powered aviation, we are proud of our resilience and ability to adapt.

A very important part of our work at BBGA, within our directorate and through our dedicated working groups, is helping members with issues that are detrimental to their operations. Here we draw on our Board’s specialist expertise and our close relationship with government, politicians, regulators and other trade associations. Our near 200-strong membership encompasses a broad church of expertise.

The year 2023 saw an increase in protestors scrutinizing the ecological impacts of aviation. Business Aviation unfairly draws attention to its ‘per passenger’ carbon output. BBGA has worked hard to highlight that far from being a problem, business aviation can be a solution. It has been, and remains, a valued incubator for new sustainable aircraft, engines, fuel and airspace technology. We were for example, the first sector to introduce winglets for operational efficiency.

It has never been so important a time to be part of an association with an influential voice. Aviation is an exciting sector to be in right now with a wealth of job opportunities emerging as vertical flight and next generation regional air mobility shapes up alongside traditional business jet growth.

Our members deliver connectivity. Growth in UK GDP relies on businesses being able to move people and goods. Business aviation is an important contributor in the transportation options available to organisations when assessing their needs. Scheduled airlines, marine, rail and road can’t be relied on for the speed, time savings, accessibility and secure travel that business aviation provides with its ability to serve short, small regional airfields and ability to link city pairs which don’t exist on any airline’s route map.

Here are a few of our notable highlights of 2023:

BBGA’s Annual 2023 Conference – ‘Flying into a new Era of Aviation’. The event moved to a popular, central London location. With record attendance and sponsorship, it focused on media perception in our industry, attracting tomorrow’s workforce and what that might look like and Advanced Air Mobility.

Business Aviation Messaging Strategy – BBGA participated in a global group together with GAMA Europe and EBAA focusing on the public perception of the Business Aviation industry. BBGA has lent advice and support, with representatives participating in all its working groups.

‘Did you know’ campaign. BBGA launched a social media campaign focusing on UK perception of Business Aviation. Here we are identifying positive news stories from our membership – from life saving organ transplant transportation to electric/hybrid electric flight trials. #Bizavenables. Members are invited to submit contributions.

Addressing 45.5 tonne aircraft security screening issues. BBGA has been in direct discussion with DfT around the interpretation of the ruling and its impact on the sector.

Liquid screening – new regulation for liquid screen comes into force in June 2024. In 2021 our FBO Working Group successfully lobbied for FBO’s to be ring fenced from the regulations around screening machinery for airports handling more than 1 million passengers annually. Some FBO’s are now voluntarily choosing to upgrade their screening machines in line with the new regulations to improve the passenger experience. BBGA has invited by the screening detector manufacturers to engage with FBO’s to ensure all allowances are considered regarding restrictions on building size and capability.

EGNOS – The revised EGNOS report has been submitted to government which includes the Oxera report. Government has instructed PA Consulting to assess the need and viability of a new Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS). The EGNOS Working Group contributed to the consultation, sharing the EGNOS report with PA Consulting and more widely with various bodies throughout 2023 and into 2024.

BBGA and EBAA Universities Outreach Programme. BBGA and EBAA conducted a successful three-day elective module lecture series on Business Aviation to Post Graduate students at Cranfield University. BBGA members provided well received lectures in their area of expertise including introduction to Business Aviation, OEM’s, Charter, FBO’s and Airports, Regulation and Business Aviation in our society. Cranfield has subsequently expressed an interest to repeat this in 2024. City University too are now enhancing their master’s programme as a continuous professional development course.

Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform, run by TRS and funded by the DfT has continued to grow during 2023 and is now used widely by the Business Aviation industry. From 2025 the platform will be industry funded.

Airworthiness – BBGA sits on the UKASF group which covers all UK airworthiness activities, together with AOPA, airline associations and business aviation entities. Supported by the CAA’s Stuart Algar, the regulator has acknowledged a three-year change management process on service delivery.

CAA Finance and Advisory committee – chaired by BBGA’s CEO Marc Bailey, members are able to voice their opinions on funding for CAA. Meetings continued from 2023 and a consultation opened in early 2024.

ECOGAS and EASA progress – There is a desire by EASA for restructuring. ECOGAS, which includes BBGA are working with other European member associations to secure positions at the new forums.

We closed the year with 10 new members :

Aerocare Aviation Services Ltd

Aerotech Aircraft Maintenance Ltd

Azur Aviation Ltd

Exelux

Floog Group Ltd

ICTS Europe Systems

ITIC Co Ltd

Jet Aviation Business Jets

Marshall Skills Academy

Production Air Charter Ltd

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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British Business and General Aviation Association

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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