Jet Aviation hopes its Biggin Hill location will soon grow to rival the more established business aviation base of Farnborough.
"I don't think there is any question that Farnborough is more established at this present time than Biggin Hill," said Andy Whelan, Jet Aviation UK's recently appointed sales manager.
"But that's today. Tomorrow we would like to think working very closely with the airport authority as we do and having invested in our facility at Biggin Hill as we have, that we can build a future at Biggin Hill by offering something to the business community that is just as discerning and probably more competitive than Farnborough."
Since acquiring the Biggin Hill facility in 2002, Jet Aviation has invested more than $3 million in development.
Unique
Along with Jet Aviation's FBO at Biggin Hill, the company also offers paint and interior services, something Whelan described as "unique".
Jet Aviation is not exhibiting at Farnborough this year; however Whelan did not rule out participating in the future. At this stage the company is participating in the smaller, niche events targeted directly at the business aircraft industry as these are the forums its clients tend to focus on, he says.
"I think it would be fair to say that we would concentrate on those niche events."
In line with this thinking, Jet Aviation will host a European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) forum at Biggin Hill on 10 September. Whelan said the event is not specifically focused on Biggin Hill but rather is designed to promote business aviation in the UK.
TIM SCHWARZ
Source: Flight Daily News
