Gama Aviation acquires Jet East Aviation - BBGA Association Limited

The combined business immediately delivers coverage to 65 high traffic US cities offering a single source, coast-to-coast, maintenance service for business aviation operators.

The business will bring together two established and trusted maintenance networks, with highly complementary geographic footprints and capabilities enabling Corporate Flight Departments, Part 91 & Part 135 operators to single source their AOG, line and heavy maintenance needs. In order to preserve the strong brand equity of both organizations, the combined entity is going to market as; “Jet East, a Gama Aviation company”.

Stephen Maiden, who has extensive executive experience in the MRO industry and joined Jet East in March 2020, will lead the combined companies as CEO. He will head a leadership team comprised of executives from both organizations.

Under Stephen’s direction, the business will focus on delivering one source for maintenance while introducing an expansive coverage area that will provide efficiencies in procurement and operations for customers. The newly formed team, with its deep skill set and coast-to-coast reach, will be in a unique position to support aircraft availability, through its:

approximately 400 employees
90+ AOG technicians positioned across the country to support every region in the US
coverage of approximately 65 major, high business aviation traffic, cities across the US including a major presence in the valuable North East region
10+ line stations and heavy scheduled maintenance facilities
specialization in composites, structural component repair, paint, and non-destructive testing
nationwide parts and logistics business
paint & interior facility

Marwan Khalek, Gama Aviation Group CEO said: “We are really pleased to complete this acquisition. Over the last six years we have grown a substantial coast-to-coast maintenance operation serving some of business aviation’s most highly respected brands. Through the integration of both company’s strengths we are stepping-up our service levels, offering more locations, services, and most of all convenience, to our customers. Our ultimate goal is to work with all operators to gain an advantage by reducing downtime and increasing aircraft availability and this deal is integral to our ability to achieve just that.”

Francis John, Jet East Aviation Chairman said: “I am thrilled about today’s announcement with Gama Aviation and the opportunities we will have as a combined entity. The synergies between the two organizations provide for a deeper level of service, an increased portfolio of capabilities and a more sophisticated network of team members to serve our customer base. Jet East and the Gama Aviation operation in the U.S. have unique histories built on hard work and determination. The successes of each entity are significant, and the combined workforce will yield an even stronger maintenance organization as we join forces. I look forward to continuing to guide the combined leadership team in my role as Executive Chairman.”

Additional note to the press release

The Part 135 operation currently trading as “Gama Aviation Signature” or “Gama Signature” has no affiliation to Gama Aviation Plc or its group companies and will cease communication and use of the Gama Aviation name and brand by March 2022.

ENDS

Jet East – notes to editors

Jet East, one of the nation’s leading aviation maintenance providers, is headquartered in Trenton, New Jersey. The company specializes in scheduled maintenance, on-demand mobile maintenance for unscheduled events, and provides related services in the areas of structural repairs, composite work, non-destructive testing (NDT) and paint capabilities. With a long-standing history in the area of AOG mobile maintenance and a deeply talented workforce, Jet East has a significant presence in the Northeast, Mid-West and Great Lakes regions of the United States. Though heavily concentrated in the Northeast corridor, the company provides service across the US and in certain international markets. Maintenance hangars in New York and New Jersey and a back shop in Ohio compliment the company’s strength in mobile maintenance by offering a team of dedicated technicians for scheduled maintenance and off-wing services.

Gama Aviation – notes to editors

Founded in 1983 on the simple purpose of providing aviation services that equip its customers with decisive advantage, Gama Aviation Plc (LSE AIM: GMAA) is a highly valued global partner to blue chip corporations, government agencies, healthcare trusts and private individuals.

The Group has three global divisions: Business Aviation (Aircraft Management, Charter, FBO & Maintenance), Special Mission (Air Ambulance & Rescue, National Security & Policing, Infrastructure & Survey, Energy & Offshore); and Technology & Outsourcing (Flight Operations, FBO, CAM software, Flight Planning, CAM & ARC services)

More details can be found at: https://www.gamaaviation.us and https://www.gamaaviation.com

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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