Marshall Aviation Services wins support contract from Spanish business aviation operator Suraviation.

Friday 1st August 2014

Marshall Aviation Servicesat Cambridge has ratified an agreement with Suraviation, the expanding Madrid-based business aviation charter company, to provide MRO and technical support for their seven Cessna Citations, predominantly Mustangs, plus one CJ2.   Marshall, drawing on its 40 years' experience providing Citation support, will provide base support in the UK at their Cambridge headquarters, together with AOG support in Europe.

The two companies first came together in October 2013 when Suraviation required urgent technical support while on a flight into Cambridge.  They met again in Geneva in May and talked about long term collaboration, demonstrating the value of EBACE, Europe's premier business aviation show.  With Marshall-owned FlairJet also operating Cessna aircraft and welcoming a Mustang to the fleet next month, there is also an opportunity to broaden the relationship.

"Having been swift to respond to Suraviation last year they were impressed with our level of service and responsiveness.  This proved to be a strong foundation to build on and we are now delighted to reach an agreement to support their whole fleet." said Steve Pantry, Marshall Aviation Services Operations Manager at Cambridge.  Marshall's ability to perform peripheral support services such as interior refurbishment, repairs and upgrades with a significant in-house design capability gives us the edge over many peers serving the Citation market," he added.

Suraviation has grown significantly since being established in 2006.  It bases its model on that of Europe's successful low cost carriers, and at any one time can have aircraft positioned in London, Paris, Geneva or Milan. It also serves Africa and Greece as well as southern Spain in the summer months.  The company boasts a comprehensive, multilingual, brokerage sales team providing charter sales support to a number of third party operators, harnessing the latest IT technology to maximise the efficiency of its managed fleet, by taking down to a bare minimum any empty-leg positioning flights.   Utilisation of the fleet on revenue-earning flights is amongst the highest within the Europe's light jet fleet and Suraviation pilots have logged more Cessna Mustang hours than any other operator globally.

"On the back of this newly won business from Suraviation we are now evaluating the opportunity to establish more of a presence in Spain," commented Marshall Aviation Services Vice President Business Aviation Services James Dillon Godfray.   Marshall Aviation Services' MRO activity covers Europe, Middle East and Africa, on the Hawker and Beechcraft family, and now on Bombardier's Global Express.   In addition,further co-operation is envisaged between our own business aircraft fleet, managed by FlairJet, which include Embraer Phenom 100, Mustang, Excel, Bravo and King Air 350 types.

About Marshalls Aviation Services.

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 Airport; and within JETability, aircraft brokerage and complementary services tailored to the requirements of business aircraft owners and operators.

www.marshallas.com

FlairJet 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 February 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.

www.flair-jet.com

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.

www.marshalladg.com