Post published:04/05/2021
Post category:Latest Member News
Reading time:4 mins read

London (May 3, 2021) – Universal Aviation UK – London Northolt has successfully worked with
the Royal Air Force (RAF) to extend RAF Northolt Airport’s (RAF/EGWU) operating hours by
three hours a day, significantly enhancing the flexibility of using central London’s closest airport.

Effective May 17, 2021, Northolt’s Monday-Friday operating hours will be extended by three
hours daily from 0800-1700 to 0800-2000 local. This better accommodates business travelers
needing to get in and out of Central London the same day, as well as crew and passengers needing
to connect with commercial flights at London Heathrow Airport, which is just eight miles away.

In addition, the airport will selectively operate on some weekend days to accommodate high-traffic
events. Two have already been scheduled – June 13 and July 11 – for the upcoming European
Championship Football games.

Universal Aviation UK officially opened its second London-area ground handling location at
Northolt in January 2021. Since that time, it has been working closely with the airport’s Command
to demonstrate the value of extending the operating hours, said Sean Raftery, Managing Director,
Universal Aviation UK & Ireland
“We expanded our ground handling presence to Northolt earlier this year despite the pandemic
and current restrictions because we had a vision of the potential of this airport and the operating
flexibility it could provide to our clients traveling to London,” said Raftery. “Being just 35 minutes
from Hyde Park, Northolt has always been an ideal airport option for operators with business in
Central London. It is also a great option for making crew swaps due to its proximity to Heathrow.
The extended hours now make it an even better choice. We’re proud to have played a role in
expanding the airport’s hours back to where they were years ago and even longer in the future.

”In preparation for COVID restrictions easing this summer and the return of high-traffic events,
Universal Aviation has also worked with the airport to open from 1200-1900 local on two specific
Sundays: June 13 and July 11, 2021.
“Extending weekday operating hours was just phase 1,” said Raftery. “We’re now looking at
weekends. We’re extremely excited that the airport has agreed to open on two Sundays this summer
to support an influx of traffic expected for the European Championship Football.”
For more information on this location, including a 360 view of the FBO, visit Universal Aviation
London-Northolt online.

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We are a small family owned and run business that the introduction of new measures by BF would have caused severe financial hardship. I was recommended to ask BBGA for advice which they instantly gave even though we were not members. They attended various meetings by my side, took the situation to a higher level within the Government department and helped me achieve a satisfactory outcome. I wasn’t pressured to become a member but what became apparent was their genuine desire to help resolve aviation issues for the better of the community. This association covers almost every aspect of the industry, has representation on the majority of decision making panels and achieves results by either diluting possible harmful legislation or stopping it altogether. Its members receive updates in real time often leaving other associations to ‘cut and paste’ BBGA releases some time later.

Inflite The Jet Centre Ltd.Penny Stephens, Director

BBGA is the main business and general aviation industry Association in the UK. It represents a wide range of services and operators. It’s contribution to fairly represent our interests with the regulators and government departments as well as other associations is absolutely essential. The various BBGA events throughout the year are a great opportunity for everyone to network and discuss the current industry affairs and issues BBGA’s ability to bring together all sectors of UK general and business aviation gives us enviable networking access. Nobody has the ear of the regulator like BBGA and that’s two-way thing; BBGA is not just able to elicit answers from EASA, the CAA and DfT, its advice and recommendations are sought both nationally and supra-nationally too. That makes membership a vital way to influence upcoming policy.

Luxaviation United Kingdom, London Executive Aviation LtdGeorge Galanopoulos, CEO & Managing Director

The BBGA is the key trade body for UK business aviation, helping us keep up-to-date with developments and in contact with the wider UK bizav community. Everyone with any interest in UK business aviation should be a member

Clyde & CoMark Bisset Partner,

From first contact, to membership, to attending the 2021 Virtual Conference, I received a warm welcome for which I am extremely grateful. The mix of technical and strategic content re-enforced the decision to attend and was the right one at the right time for our business."

Sky Harbour UK LtdSteve Ford, Director

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British Business and General Aviation Association

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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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What Our Members Say

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British Business and General Aviation Association

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What Our Members Say

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British Business and General Aviation Association

Paul Cremer

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