Farnborough Airport welcomes Flexjet team, driving economic and sustainability performance

May 2022…// Farnborough Airport’s mission to become a global showcase for airport sustainability and driver of regional economic growth continues to gather pace as it welcomes premium fleet operator Flexjet in setting up its European Tactical Control Centre at Europe’s leading business aviation airport. As well as offering an outstanding customer experience, Flexjet has sustainability high on its priorities and includes a complete emissions offset (300% CO2e) for both carbon and non-carbon pollution, at no extra cost to the passenger, thus contributing to Farnborough Airport’s own commitment to sustainability and the UK Government’s targets for net zero carbon emissions.

Flexjet has opened the Tactical Control Centre – the operational heart of its European business – and office space for its operations and other support teams within Farnborough Airport’s Meadow Gate building, in a move from its previous base in St. Albans, Hertfordshire. The relocation contributes to Farnborough Airport’s impressive number of 50 companies based on site and the airport’s longstanding history of driving economic growth and local employment in the region. With 80% of staff living within a 10-mile radius of Farnborough Airport, the airport is a major regional employer. During the COVID pandemic the airport remained fully operational and instead of making redundancies took the opportunity to hire into new positions.

Farnborough Airport’s CEO Simon Geere, commented, “We’re thrilled to welcome Flexjet to Farnborough Airport. The operator’s exemplary focus on sustainability brings additional value to our airport, not to mention a boost to local employment and fiscal growth in the region. After becoming the first business airport to be awarded carbon neutral status in 2018 and making continued improvements in our environmental performance, this partnership further establishes our position as one of the most modern, well-connected, and sustainably minded airports of its kind.”

Flexjet European Managing Director, Marine Eugène, added, “Our move to Farnborough Airport represents an important milestone in our European expansion and generates a multitude of synergies and benefits for our team and our owners alike. Flexjet and Farnborough Airport have a shared ethos for excellence in both operations and service, so we are delighted to be forging this closer partnership.”

Farnborough Airport became the first business airport to be awarded carbon neutral status in 2018 and made Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) available to its customers in 2021. This year Farnborough Airport has introduced Electric Ground Power Units and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), which reduces net greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90%. Furthermore, this summer, Farnborough Airport will embark on a £55m investment programme to significantly expand its facilities and operational infrastructure by developing a new 175,000 sq ft state-of-the-art hangar facility, branded as Domus III. With Domus III, the airport will achieve some of the very highest environmental standards and the building itself will be rated by BREEAM, the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for infrastructure and buildings.

Farnborough Airport was the UK’s first airfield in aviation history and home to the country’s first powered flight in 1908. Over the past decade, the airport has continued to be a leader in aviation, hosting the biennial Farnborough International Airshow and pioneering sustainability across the industry.

ENDS

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For more information, please contact Clare Buchanan, Ellen Christophers or Camilla Horner at Grifco PR at farnboroughairport@grifcopr.com

About Farnborough Airport: Farnborough Airport is Europe’s leading business aviation airport, the home of British aviation and first business aviation airport to achieve carbon neutrality. The most modern airport of its kind, Farnborough Airport offers five-star service, exclusivity, and privacy within easy reach of London, making it the premium choice for those looking to travel safely, flexibly, and efficiently. With health and wellbeing more important than ever, business aviation is fast becoming a preferred option for those wishing to travel with complete assurance. From the moment passengers arrive at Farnborough, they can expect exceptional service at every point in their journey through the airport, including a dedicated concierge service on hand for every need. The award-winning terminal offers multiple lounges, private meeting rooms, refreshments and even gaming consoles to keep younger travellers entertained. Passengers can also travel with their dogs or cats as Farnborough offers a Pet Travel Scheme with on-site vet to allow beloved companions to travel safely around the world.

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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