SONAS AVIATION BECOMES ACASS IRELAND - Questions & Answers

Q: Why did ACASS decide to partner with SONAS to launch ACASS Ireland?

A: For some time, ACASS has been engaged in a search for the right partnership to strengthen our Europe-based offerings. While ACASS has a long-established presence and reputation in regions like India, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East, Europe has lagged behind in both regards. In addition, ACASS recognized the opportunity to broaden its portfolio of service offerings with commercial management and charter out of Europe. SONAS team, capabilities, and values checked every box on ACASS’s European partner wish list.

Q: Does ACASS do business in Europe?

A: Yes, ACASS does currently do business in Europe and offers clients the benefits of San Marino commercial registration. The knowledge, expertise, and resources of the ACASS Ireland team will allow ACASS to grow dramatically and become a leading aircraft management company in Europe. ACASS Ireland’s Irish commercial certificate allows us to move our clients free and clear throughout Europe with no limitations on charter.

Q: What is the relationship between ACASS and ACASS Ireland?

A: ACASS acquired a significant stake in SONAS and provided considerable support to the company during its startup phase. As the name suggests, what was once SONAS Aviation is now ACASS Ireland and is a fully integrated part of the global ACASS group.

Q: Has SONAS Aviation been bought by ACASS?

A: No, the name SONAS Aviation effectively has been dropped and ACASS Ireland has replaced it to reflect the relationship with ACASS.

Q: What will be the differences between ACASS and ACASS Ireland?

A: Other than the principal place of business and the regulatory structure that ACASS Ireland must work to, there will be no discernable differences between the two. The ACASS brand values and culture will be adopted by ACASS Ireland as part of the promotion of the overall ACASS brand.

Q: Who will lead ACASS Ireland?

A: Graham Williamson is the President of ACASS Ireland. Previously, Graham was instrumental to the European growth and success of one of the world’s leading business aviation companies after he joined that company in 2004. During his 14-year tenure there, he was the catalyst for a host of major milestones and achievements. With ACASS Ireland, Graham has assembled a group of industry experts with the knowledge and experience to make ACASS Ireland one of the region’s most successful jet services providers.

Q: Will the SONAS Headquarters move to the ACASS Head Office?

A: No, ACASS Ireland will maintain its principal place of business in Ireland to maximise the benefits of its European AOC.

Q: Why Ireland?

A: An Ireland-based business aviation company offers a host of advantages. Among them:

We can provide the EASA solution for owners who need or wish to retain access to Europe with a fully commercial operator to allow free circulation in Europe and unfettered traffic rights to the 44 countries covered by EU bilateral agreements, including the USA and Canada.

As a member of the EU Customs Union, Ireland enables the efficient importation of corporate and private aircraft into the EU for free circulation. Over the last 60 years, Ireland’s dominance in aviation leasing has transformed aviation.

Ireland offers a simple importation and tax environment for those clients who have reputations to protect. All commercial aircraft will qualify for zero-rated importation. Ireland is a renowned and very secure jurisdiction for financiers. Lenders will readily approve it for corporate clients who have financed aircraft.

The Irish legal system, similar to that of England, will remain subject to the authority of the ECJ when the UK leaves the EU. This will give continued harmony and reliability to existing financiers and owners. Contracts governed by English law will be readily recognised. As the laws of the UK change with departure from EU regulation, Ireland will remain familiar and transparent.
The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is a committed member of EASA; all European traffic freedoms, licenses, approvals and certification will continue to apply.
Ireland represents a safe, secure and predictable environment, giving clients the peace of mind and service, they seek in the heart of Europe.
Ireland offers two registration prefixes, the commercial “EI” registration along with the “EJ” registration, allowing for both private and commercial operations. In both cases, aircraft registered in Ireland can be based anywhere in Europe and beyond.

Q: How does BREXIT impact clients who have aircraft based in the UK?

A: Client aircraft can still be based out of the U.K. post BREXIT.

Q: What services will ACASS Ireland offer?

A: While ACASS Ireland draws on the resources of ACASS’s international team to offer ACASS’s full suite of complementary support services, its primary service focus is commercial aircraft management and charter.

Graham Williamson has extensive experience in both product disciplines from his 14-year tenure as President of TAG Aviation Europe and the ACASS Ireland team has the ideal skill set and expertise for these specializations.

Q: Who are the other key members of the ACASS Ireland team?

A: Capt. Russell Allchorne, COO and Director of Flight Operations; Keith Brennan, Technical Director; Andrew Hodgson, Commercial Director; Patricia Davis, Director of Compliance and Safety.

Q: Has ACASS Ireland secured a launch aircraft?

A: Yes, we are pleased to announce that our launch aircraft is a Bombardier Challenger 605 (EJ-AWES), which was delivered in February and is already busy with commercial charter operations. This aircraft is available exclusively for the charter market, fully crewed, and requiring no owner’s release. We have also signed a second Challenger 605 (EJ-ROXY) that is also fully crewed, exclusively available for charter with no owner release requirement.

Q: Where is the launch aircraft based?

A: Both Challengers are based in London, UK.

Q: What working arrangement will ACASS Ireland and ACASS corporate have?

A: ACASS Ireland will fully leverage ACASS’s existing, highly successful business processes and infrastructure. With a 25-year history of delivering best-in-class, cohesive business aviation support services, ACASS offers ACASS Ireland every resource necessary to answer any client need they might encounter.

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.

Our Number has changed:

What Our Members Say

Join BBGA

British Business and General Aviation Association

What Our Members Say

Join BBGA

British Business and General Aviation Association

Paul Cremer

Jason Hayward

James Moreton

James Hardie

Aoife O’Sullivan

Alex Durand

Marc Bailey

Sarah Towerzey

Heather Gordon

Lindsey Oliver