Post published:10/02/2022
Post category:Latest Member News
Reading time:3 mins read

Positions itself as sustainability showcase

Having welcomed 26,003 movements in 2021, Farnborough Airport in the UK is forecasting continued growth in air traffic throughout 2022 with figures expected to mirror, if not exceed the pre-COVID record total in 2019 of 32,366 movements.

In line with this anticipated growth the airport has unveiled its focus for the year ahead.

Speaking on Tuesday 8 February, Farnborough Airport’s CEO Simon Geere revealed the dedicated business aviation hub’s plans to build a third hangar, which will almost double the existing hangar space. At an estimated cost of £35 million, work on the four-bay, temperature-controlled, 175,000 sq. ft. facility is due to start later this year and be complete in 2024.

According to Geere, the new facility underpins the commitment of the airport’s owner – Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA). “It really starts that cycle of investment again under new ownership.”

The airport also has its sights set on being a sustainability showcase for other airports. In 2018 it was declared the first business aviation hub to achieve carbon neutrality and since then has continued to make environmental investments. It is currently in the process of renewing its fleet of ground power units and fleet vehicles with electric units, while investments are also being made in HVO (hydro-treated vegetable oil) renewable diesel for ground vehicles and a staff leasing scheme for electric vehicles.

Farnborough introduced sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in summer 2021 and despite prices being around 50% more than Jet A-1, it has been actively encouraging customers to refuel with SAF, with sales increasing slowly.

Geere also highlighted that with the majority of carbon emissions in business aviation coming from the aircraft themselves, he was encouraged by the work being done by the operators to reduce their carbon footprint. He cited three of the airport’s biggest customers – NetJets, Vistajet and FlexJet – as having mature carbon offsetting programmes and actively refuelling with SAF where possible.

Elsewhere, the airport has also signed an MoU with Vertical Aerospace to explore opportunities for eVTOL operations and infrastructure, with Geere underlining the “clear environmental benefits and improved connectivity” that this technology could offer.

Concluding that the airport remains “100% dedicated and tailored to serving the needs of the business aviation community,” Geere underlined his optimism for 2022 and beyond saying the focus is to build on Farnborough’s “pioneering legacy, invest in its product and be a sustainability showcase as well as an employer of choice.”

By Chloe Greenbank, The Emerald Network

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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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