Marshall has agreed a long term lease of the award-winning FBO, built in 2011 and located to the west of the airport. The glass fronted 4,000m2 (44,000 sq.ft.) facility, includes 2,500m2 (27,000sq.ft) of hangarage space which will be available both to resident and ad-hoc visiting aircraft. Under the previous operator, the FBO was named Best Handling Agent/FBO by industry peers of the Baltic Air Charter Association (BACA) in 2013. The FBO is regularly used by BAE Avro RJ executive charter operator Cello Aviation and FlairJet, Marshall Aviation Services’ aircraft operations, charter and management company, will also have a presence there. The facility will continue to offer fuel services via Avfuel.
Freddie Judge returns to his previous role to run the facility day-to-day as FBO Manager whilst overseen by Cambridge-based Pauline Smith, who has served in senior FBO roles with ExecuJet and Harrods Aviation in Dubai and London Stansted, respectively. Pauline was manager of Al Bateen Executive’s DhabiJet facility before joining Marshall’s in 2012. The Marshall Aviation Services’ team intends to position the facility as a world-class FBO, offering comprehensive amenities for both flight crew and passengers, including crew rest facilities, flight planning rooms, prayer room and visitor or residential crew offices.
Birmingham Airport, the seventh biggest airport in the UK, offers some unique attributes for business aviation, including 24/7 opening hours, a long 3,052m (10,000ft) runway; 'plenty of low cost apron parking for the largest of aircraft types and excellent ground transportation links, complemented by multiple commercial flights, enabling private aircraft crews to reposition with ease.
Centred within the industrial heart of the UK and home to the motor industry’s development and manufacturing capital, Birmingham has the second largest city economy in the UK, the second most visited city in England outside of London and the region creates exports in goods worth over £20 billion. The new FBO is a mere five minutes’ drive to the UK’s National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and the new £150m Resorts World Casino complex, currently under development by Genting, which includes the former LG Arena.
Entertainers and celebrities, along with business leaders will also be able to access the International Convention Centre (ICC), Symphony Hall and the National Indoor Arena (now Barclaycard Arena) within minutes from the private aviation facility. Birmingham Airport will eventually be linked with London via the new HS2 high speed rail line in just 32 minutes, but today helicopter shuttles are available to interline or reposition to London.
Marshall will work closely with Birmingham Airport in building business through the FBO, realising interlining opportunities for business jet travel, for example, among First and Business Class passengers flying into Birmingham on potential new long-haul destinations - Beijing, Shanghai, Tokyo, Bangkok, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Johannesburg. Business executives can make private aircraft connections for UK or near-Europe flights through the Marshall VIP facility within minutes of arrival or departure.
Marshall Aviation Services Managing Director Steve Jones commented: “This new facility is part of our strategic plan to develop a portfolio of services to private aircraft owners - from aircraft sales and management charter through to support refurbishment and upgrades. Our new Birmingham facility will offer first class handling services, accommodating aircraft up to Gulfstream 550 or Global size in the hangar. We will also be able to offer line support capabilities all Textron family (Cessna, Hawker and Beechcraft) and Bombardier Global or Challenger models in the near term, as the future market demands.”
Melanie Cameron, Birmingham Airport’s Head of Property, said, “The arrival of Marshall Aviation Services at Birmingham Airport is great news. It is a very exciting time for us, with record passenger numbers and the recent completion of a multi-million pound redevelop programme to allow for the growth of our long-haul route network so we are delighted to welcome the Marshalls team this year. The new operation will provide first class facilities for airlines and passengers, and aviation business services that are much needed in the Midlands to support the thriving local economy.”
Pauline Smith and Freddie Judge will participate at the Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference in California, USA during February 3-6, Stand 724.
For further information about the new facility and handling services contact:
Marshall Aviation Services
Tel: +44 (0) 121 663 1450 - (Birmingham, UK)
Email: bhx.handling@marshallas.com
Web: www.marshallas.com/airport-services/fixed-base-operations-ground-handling/
Pauline Smith
Terminal Manager and Customer Services Executive
pauline.smith@marshalladg.com
+44 (0) 7920 266 216
or
Freddie Judge
Marshall VIP – Birmingham Facility Manager
freddie.judge@marshallas.com
+44 (0) 7825 901 743
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group (www.marshalladg.com) specialises in the conversion and modification of military, civil and business aircraft; defence vehicle engineering and shelter manufacture. Its capabilities include engineering design, manufacture and test, systems integration, maintenance and product support, and the provision of personnel, training and advice. The company is valued for its integrity, performance and customer focus which has been demonstrated through its innovative solutions and ability to deliver on-time and to-cost. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group is part of the Marshall Group of Companies which employs over 4,500 people with a turnover in excess of £1.3bn.
Marshall Aviation Services (www.marshallas.com) is responsible for all of Marshall ADG’s business and commercial aviation activities, including the management of Cambridge International Airport. Across its Broughton, Cambridge and Oxford locations it offers solutions including: maintenance, modification, refurbishment and conversion of business aircraft to Hawker, King Air and Cessna Citation aircraft amongst others. The company also provides aircraft management and charter through FlairJet; sales of new Beechcraft Aircraft across the UK, Ireland and Scandinavia; hangarage at Cambridge International Airport; and within JETability, aircraft brokerage and complementary services tailored to the requirements of business aircraft owners and operators.
FlairJet (www.flair-jet.com) was founded in 2009 by CEO Captain David Fletcher with the backing of three prominent London QCs. It obtained its UK AOC in December of that year. From its base at London Oxford Airport, the company has established itself as a dynamic aircraft management company with a strong track record in charter sales. In March 2013 the company was acquired by the Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group to become the lead charter company for Marshall Aviation Services’ expanding business aviation portfolio with David Fletcher continuing as Managing Director. FlairJet has lent its technical expertise to Embraer Phenom 100 and 300 operators all around the world and its training department is actively involved in supporting private owners, other AOC operators and approved training organisations throughout Europe. The company has managed the acquisition, acceptance and delivery of a total 24 Embraer aircraft.
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For further information, please contact:
Oliver Drury
Head of Marketing Support
Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group
Tel: +44 (0)1223 373865
Mob: +44 (0)7771 947225
Alison Chambers
Emerald Media
Tel: +44 (0)1420 560094
Mob: +44(0)7721 882939
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