Fixed Base Operation Established At U.K.'s Birmingham Airport

Marshall Aviation Services, the business aviation-focused arm of the Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, says it is entering the FBO arena. It has secured the executive aviation handling facility (FBO) at Birmingham Airport in the U.K., and will formally open for business under the Marshall Aviation Services name within the next few months.

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 facility, includes 27,000 sq.ft of hangar space which will be available both to resident and transient 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. He will report to 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-largest airport in the UK, offers some unique attributes for business aviation, including 24/7 opening hours, a long 10,000ft runway; plenty of low cost apron parking for the largest of aircraft types and excellent ground transportation links. The airport also is served by multiple commercial flights, enabling private aircraft crews to reposition with ease.

“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," said Marshall Aviation Services Managing Director Steve Jones. "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.”

“The arrival of Marshall Aviation Services at Birmingham Airport is great news," said Melanie Cameron, Birmingham Airport’s Head of Property. "It is a very exciting time for us, with record passenger numbers and the recent completion of a multi-million pound redevelop program 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.”

FMI: www.marshallas.com