Private Aviation Club Offers “Mission-Appropriate” Flight Solution To Members

Wheels Up, the newly-launched membership-based private aviation company designed to lower the cost of entry to private aviation and provides unparalleled flexibility and service, has selected Gama Charters Inc, as the operator of its US-based fleet of Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft for the Wheels Up Program. The announcement was made today at the National Business Aviation Association convention in Las Vegas.

Through the partnership, Gama Charters will operate and manage the US-based fleet of Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft. Beechcraft has the contract to maintain all aircraft within the fleet. Wheels Up will continue to act as agent of the passenger.

Wheels Up forged an exclusive partnership with Beechcraft in August 2013 to offer its members closed-fleet access to King Air 350i aircraft, which will be staged across seven ‘regional hubs’ in the continental United States. Through a groundbreaking order, valued in excess of $1.4 billion, including support agreements, the first 35 Beechcraft King Air 350i aircraft will be delivered to Wheels Up between now and mid-2015, with the first nine deliveries to be made in 2013. The deal includes options for 70 additional aircraft as Wheels Up expands nationally over the next two to three years.

“Gama Charters has reinforced a culture focused on the highest level of safety that is driven by their senior management team. As participants in the FAA SMS Pilot Project, there was no better choice to operate and manage the fleet of Beechcraft King Airs at Wheels Up,” said Kenny Dichter, Founder and CEO of Wheels Up. Gama Charters has the infrastructure of a large company, but retains the flexibility and adaptability of a small company, and with 30 years of continuous service, I am honored to partner with this experienced team.”

“Gama Charters is extremely pleased to be aligned with Kenny Dichter and Wheels Up, as both of our companies share strong values of superior quality, safety and recognized leadership in private aviation,” said Tom Connelly, President of Gama Charters. “It is a true testament to our employees worldwide, that we offer the experience, safety standards and operational know-how that game-changing companies like Wheels Up gravitate to. Wheels Up clearly shares our exceptionally high standards for safety and client service, and this newfound relationship is a perfect fit for both companies and for our clients.”

(Image provided by Wheels Up)

FMI: www.wheelsup.com, www.gamagroupusa.com