Gama Aviation expands charter fleet with addition of multi-role King Air 350C.

Monday 1st September 2014

Gama Aviation, the global business aviation company, has expanded its charter fleet offering with the addition of a multi-role Beechcraft King Air 350C. The King Air 350C, is being offered by Gama Aviation for both utility and corporate use.

It will be available in one of four optional configurations; Executive, Commuter, Cargo and Medevac.

The latest addition to the Gama Aviation fleet will be based at the company's landmark Glasgow Airport facility, which formally opened in November 2013.  The aircraft is also expected to run regular charters to Europe out of Gama Aviation's Farnborough Airport HQ.

Paul Cremer, Commercial Manager, for Gama Aviation says:  "We have received considerable interest for the aircraft in its cargo configuration as currently there is restricted access to aircraft of this size for cargo and freight missions. We expect it to be very popular with existing clients as well as encouraging a new client base to work with us."

Owing to its intelligent design a medevac configuration is also quickly achievable and can be ready with in a short time of a request. Cremer adds "The double Lifeport facility in the Medevac configuration provides yet another option for this flexible platform." In its Executive and Commuter formats Cremer anticipates the aircraft will be in high demand from travellers seeking easy access to the more remote parts of Scotland, for example, for either business or pleasure.  With a range of up to 1,400nm it also provides a cost-efficient transport mode for European charters and only requires a 1000 metre runway, making it ideal for smaller airfields.

The aircraft joins a varied UK fleet which include types such as the Challenger 604, Learjet 45, a Gulfstream G550, and a Hawker 1000. Cremer adds, "Our mixed fleet means we can fulfill a variety of clients' mission requests. However, the addition of such a versatile aircraft brings an extra dimension to our offering and with the multi-use options we expect it to be popular across a number of sectors."

Gama Aviation already operates King Air aircraft on behalf of the Scottish Ambulance Service and this latest addition can also serve as an ad-hoc additional aircraft to support this or other emergency requirements.

As a Beechcraft Authorised Service Centre providing maintenance for King Air, Baron and Bonanza aircraft, Gama Aviation will benefit from being able to maintain its own aircraft through its engineering and maintenance division. Paul Bristow, Engineering Director for Gama Aviation adds: "We have been involved with the King Air range of aircraft over the last 30 years so it is fitting that we now have this aircraft type added to our fleet. We are all looking forward to the potential this aircraft brings to the business."

About Gama Aviation:

Gama Aviation is a global business aviation services organization, founded in 1983 in the United Kingdom by Marwan Khalek and Stephen Wright. Gama Aviation currently employs over 600 people and operates over 85 business aircraft around the globe at 25 operating bases across four continents.

Gama Aviation's global headquarters are located at Farnborough Airport in the UK, with its American subsidiary, Gama Charters Inc.'s headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut, its Middle East and North Africa headquarters in Sharjah and its Asian headquarters in Hong Kong. Its companies and affiliates hold EU-OPS, FAA and UAE GCAA Charter Certificates, EASA, FAA and GCAA Part 145 Maintenance Approvals, EASA Part 21 Design and Manufacture Approvals and collectively offer business aircraft management, charter, maintenance and design, travel, valeting, FBO Executive Handling and aviation software services.

The group remains majority owned by its founders; in 2007 the group received an equity investment from Growth Gate Capital Corporation, Crescent Enterprises and a small number of other strategic partners.