Post published:30/08/2023
Post category:Latest Member News
Reading time:3 mins read

Hunt & Palmer’s Commercial Aviation team was delighted to facilitate a series of charter flights for South Africa’s rugby team this month, enabling the Springboks to get a couple of friendly European matches under their belts ahead of the 2023 World Cup. Their first tournament match starts on Sunday 10 September in Marseille – against Scotland.

“Air charter is always a sensible and smart option to transport elite sports teams owing to the flexibility and convenience,” highlighted Hunt & Palmer’s Simon Edwards. “With private charter, departure and arrival times can be adjusted – even on the day – to suit the team. A chartered aircraft enables all associated kit and equipment, including medical supplies, to be carried in the cabin, along with the team, coaches and physios. Inflight catering is selected to meet dietary needs and preferences and delivered fresh to the aircraft steps, while the team can relax in the privacy and comfort of their own cabin.

Time savings are hugely significant too. Commercial flying in Europe is nearly back to 2019 levels and that’s markedly apparent in the regularity of longer, slower queues through security at hub airports. Checking in via an FBO can be achieved inside 30 minutes with sports charters invariably departing from private, dedicated (FBO) terminals which offer their own, discreet security clearance.

Hunt & Palmer Commercial Aviation facilitated Saturday’s charter for the Springboks to Bastia, Corsica. The 2023 Rugby World Cup commences September 8 in France.

All-business class B737-300 to Bastia

The aircraft arranged by Hunt & Palmer from Luton Airport (Signature Flight Support’s FBO) to Bastia, Corsica on Saturday 26 August was a Boeing 737-300 in an all-business 68-seat configuration. “While there is a recognised shortage of single-aisle and wide-bodied aircraft available for ad hoc charter right now, there are a useful number of airliners, adapted to executive fit layout which are ideal to transport groups of up to 70 passengers,” added Simon Edwards.

Hunt & Palmer, with offices in the UK, USA and Asia, has over three decades’ experience arranging whole aircraft charters for sports teams. in the past 12 months H & P has flown specialist sports charter for major Premier League and European football and rugby teams, plus additional specialist flights for international basketball and ice hockey teams.

Media contact:

Alison Chambers

Emerald Media T +44 (0) 1420 560094

communications@emeraldmedia.co.uk

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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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