BBGA teams with two industry specialists - Emerald Media and WINGX Advanc

Tuesday 23rd September 2014

As it faces fresh new challenges including APD on business aviation and the threat of unwelcome border force charges at its FBOs, the British Business General Association Association (BBGA) announced today a new association with specialist aviation PR firm Emerald Media to assist its inhouse team with external communications advice.  Chobham, Surrey-based Emerald is the leading comms agency serving the biz av sector, supporting clients in a raft of activities - from aircraft charter, airport operations and executive inflight catering through to MRO, completions and satellite communications.  Now in its 21st year, it has focused on business aviation for a decade.

Emerald is also aligned with data research consultancy WINGX Advance, who will duly be extending its support to BBGA, also as a new member of the Association.  It will start to supply regular market intelligence and data for the UK market, as it currently sources data for business aviation associations EBAA, MEBAA and CEPA.

Based in Hamburg, Germany, WINGX, headed by joint managing directors Richard Koe and Christophe Kohler, specializes in providing actionable market intelligence to the global business aviation industry.  Its expertise includes market trackers and data feeds; customized insights; market surveys and strategic consulting.  Customers include aircraft operators, airframe, engine and avionics OEMs, airlines, maintenance providers, airports, fixed base operators, fuel providers, legal advisors, leasing companies, banks, regulators, investors and private jet users.

"We are very pleased to be able to call on these two notable industry firms, especially as we prepare to ready our public awareness campaign next year," said BBGA CEO Marc Bailey.  This is going to be a very important initiative because we need to push for recognition among politicians and get them to consult us on such matters as APD -.and right now, this is not happening.  We have a big job to gain recognition for business aviation and how it benefits the economy.   Our politicians are blinded with the false perception that our industry is all about high net worth individuals, champagne and caviar."

UK ranks third for business aviation in Europe.   Business turboprops back in vogue.

At a seminar today at BGAD Cambridge, WINGX Advance will highlight that the UK now ranks third in Europe for business aviation movements, behind France and Germany, with 68,258 departures.  Of this 39.9% are private movements; 49.9% charter and 10.2% other - an overall 4.9% increase in activity to date.  The UK charter market has added more charter flights this year than any other European market, according to WINGX's Richard Koe. Turboprop flights have played a major role, up 7% year to date and in particular, the King Air 200 is no less than 15% more active in charter flight activity in the UK.

Across Europe, the most popular aircraft in the light jet sector for charter is the Cessna Citation Excel/XLS, which operates more than 20% of the sector´s activity. The VLJs are rapidly gaining market share in Europe, with Citation Mustang flights up 7% and the Embraer´s Phenom 100 up 10% compared with last year. http://wingx-advance.com/?attachment_id=634

About BBGA

The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA), founded 40 years ago, originally as GAMTA, represents the interests of its 170 member companies and overseas affiliates at local, national, European and international levels; supporting and promoting the growth and well-being of business and general aviation in the UK.

BBGA is the UK's National Trade Body representing companies operating and trading in the General and Business Aviation Industry.  Supported by BBGA Chairman Marwan Khalek, CEO of Gama Aviation and a council of 12 senior industry leaders including Mark Wilson, CEO of NetJets Europe and Brandon O'Reilly, CEO of Farnborough Airport, BBGA membership embraces a wide range of businesses from flying schools and airfields to aircraft manufacturers and suppliers to business jet operators, FBOs, charter brokers and handling agents.  In addition to its important lobbying role, BBGA is also passionate about upholding high standards of professionalism in the sector.

www.bgga.aero

www.emeraldmedia.co.uk

www.wingx-advance.com