Global business aviation services company, Gama Aviation Plc, has won a competitive tender to supply air and ground services to support a major oil company’s management transportation requirement. The contract award is for two years with a further two-year option.

Mark Gascoigne, Managing Director, Europe commented: “We are delighted to have extended our relationship with this client winning a hard-fought tender process. By focusing on the end client’s needs, we have been able to create a solution that delivers the right mix of security, safety, resilience and value using a combination of our air and ground assets.”

The contract offers a prime aircraft in the ever-versatile Bombardier Challenger 604 with a back-up fleet aircraft being supplied on an as required basis. Line and AOG maintenance is provided in country with base maintenance taking place at Gama Aviation's Oxford facility which specialises in Bombardier Challenger 601 / 604 / 605 aircraft.

Scott Corbett, Head of Jet maintenance, Europe added: “We are well positioned to support this aircraft both down-route and through its contracted lifecycle via our Oxford base. However I also anticipate, according to the aircraft's mission profile, which we will also draw upon our teams in Nice and Sharjah all of whom have support capabilities that we can draw upon. We believe this, alongside our experience with the type, was a major factor in the client's decision to award the work to us.”

Oxford base maintenance facility receives Challenger 850 approval

In further news, Gama has announced the addition of the Bombardier Challenger 850 approval to its maintenance certifications.

The new type allows the team to conduct base and line maintenance across a variety of registers including Bermuda, Cayman FAA, Isle of Man, Guernsey and those within EASA.

“We have a real passion for the Bombardier Challenger series at Oxford," said Scott Corbett. "The addition of the Challenger 850 builds on our existing capability with the 601, 604 / 605 and with high demand expected over the coming years driven by mandates such as ADS-B Out, we’re offering aircraft owners a highly credible UK maintenance location.”

Scott McVicar, Managing Director, Europe Ground commented: “Our jet maintenance base at Oxford continues to excel after an excellent 2017. I believe this is great news for private jet owners, as the facility provides a one-stop location for checks, avionics, upgrades, refurbishment and paint. This saves time, airframe and engine hours and ultimately money.”

Gama Aviation’s Oxford Airport facilities represent the European operations centre of excellence for business jet maintenance. Line and Base maintenance approvals cover the Bombardier Challenger 601, 604/5, 850 and Global series, Cessna Citation XLS and Mustangs and the Hawker series across a wide variety of registries including EASA, FAA, Bermuda, Cayman and the Isle of Man.