Showcase of excellence at Luxaviation UK’s prestigious Aviation Polo Cup 2024

London, UK – Luxaviation UK and Castle Air welcomed more than 650 guests to this year’s Aviation Polo Cup at Hurtwood Park Polo Club on Saturday 14 September.

The prestigious event opened with a stunning display from the Red Devils – the British Army Parachute Display Team – who landed on the polo fields to audience applause.

The polo tournament between the two event hosts, Luxaviation UK and Castle Air, was won by Castle Air, breaking Luxaviation UK’s two-year winning streak. Georgina Brittain, on the Luxaviation UK team, was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Event sponsor London Biggin Hill Airport awarded the best playing pony to Lovelocks Roxanne, an 11 year old thoroughbred mare, bred by Charlie Hanbury’s Lovelocks stud, played by Beanie Bradley for Castle Air.

George Galanopoulos, CEO of Luxaviation UK, says: “This year’s Aviation Polo Cup was an outstanding event, bringing together our community and their families. Both polo teams were excellent and put on a terrific show for our excited guests – big congratulations goes to Castle Air for their win.

“The game certainly set the tone for the rest of the event, which is aimed at bringing people together to enjoy a day filled with entertainment among great company from across the business aviation sector. We would also like to thank our head sponsors Hemmels and Everatti, as well as all our guests who made the day so special.”

With a charity auction, the event raised money for Fly2Help, a charity dedicated to transforming lives through the power of flight. Prizes were provided by Louis XIII cognac, Silverstone Distillery, Huntsman Suits, Tank4Hire and International Property and Travel. Luxaviation Collection by La Fugue also donated an exclusive raffle prize of a Paris experience for two.

Guests could also view Castle Air’s London Biggin Hill-Battersea heli shuttle, sit in Hemmels’ luxurious cars such as the 280SL Bentley Blue and the 190SL Olympic Studios car, and enjoy a tethered hot air balloon ride from Atmosphere Hot Air Balloons and Granada. Live music was provided by Martin Bell and Simply Red musicians, alongside a spectacular drone display featuring jets, helicopters, and clinking glasses.

Patrick Hansen, CEO, Luxaviation Group, says: “Luxaviation is a proud host of this excellent event and I’d like to thank our UK team and partners who worked very hard to make it all possible – they delivered a fantastic and fun day for our industry.”

Luxaviation UK and Castle Air would like to extend their thanks to the head sponsors of the day, Hemmels and Everrati, as well as Edmiston, London Biggin Hill Airport, Jetex, Private Jet Media and La Fugue, who all played a crucial role in making the day such a memorable success.

About the Luxaviation Group: 

Since 1964, the Luxaviation Group has been tailoring private travel experiences for a global clientele. Founded by André Ganshof van der Meersch, a Belgian entrepreneur, pilot and nobleman, our sixty year history still proudly takes flight with our commitment to creating excellence through visionary, pioneering and innovative private aviation experiences. 

Luxaviation Group is comprised of top-of-the-line aviation brands: Luxaviation, Starspeed, and ExecuJet. Our more than 1300 employees work in an around-the-clock operation on five continents, delivering stellar service in the areas of aircraft management for private and commercial aircraft, private air charter services, and managing an FBO network of over 140 facilities around the world. 

Ever innovative in spirit, the group has leveraged its global perspective, carrying the value of its founder into its transformation as the world’s premier luxury experience travel company. Through the development of bespoke luxury travel packages in private jets, various ventures, fine wines, and our very own Luxaviation Client Service Training Academy, we are honoured to evolve our brand in keeping with the ever-changing luxury travel landscape.  

Luxaviation Group considers corporate sustainability as an integral part of its business strategy. The company integrates sustainability into its decision-making processes, actively handling social and environmental concerns and continuously seeking to improve its operations. 

Further information: ¦ Website: www.luxaviation.com   

	@luxaviationgroup
	@luxaviation
	@Luxaviation Group

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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