Biggin Hill reports growth in departures

                        
As 2012 draws to a close, London Biggin Hill Airport reports a 2.5% increase in business aviation departures over the year to date compared with 2011. The figure is based on statistics published by Eurocontrol.

Bucking the negative European trend of -4%, Robert Walters, business development manager said that the boost from the 2012 London Games is one of the factors for the above average performance, mainly due to an increase by larger corporate jets such as BBJ, ACJ, Global Express, Gulfstream and Falcon which have maintained continuity into the autumn months.

“As much as 12% of our Olympic traffic was new business in larger jets. We have been able to sustain much of this type of traffic during the autumn, a welcome legacy from the London Games” said Walters.

Walters continued “Our three FBO’s – Jet Aviation, Rizonjet and Biggin Hill Executive Handling – each made a valuable contribution to excellent standards of customer service throughout the year, this owed to careful, coordinated preparation for the Olympic and Paralympic period.”

“A further key factor that has supported customer confidence is the continuing investment in airport infrastructure – such as extended capability of our new Terminal hangar providing for the full range of corporate jets. Additionally, the airport now has a significantly higher maintenance capability than two years ago. Our new state-of-the-art Fire & Rescue Centre will shortly be commissioned into use and the new Air BP OMEGA system provides an all-round higher level of service for the supply of JetA1 and AVGAS” Walters concluded.

Biggin Hill are exhibiting at the MEBA show in Dubai this week.

Photograph: Andy Mellers (SAFO – left) with Robert Walters at the new Fire & Rescue Centre.