Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Almost 12 months on from its delisting from the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2024-04-29/gama-aviation-delist-stock-exchange-june">London Stock Exchange</a>, Gama Aviation seems to be relishing its newfound independence with a wave of investments across its business aviation services portfolio. The UK-based group’s chief executive, Marwan Khalek, told reporters during a pre-EBACE briefing that more than $200 million is already committed for projects that include its new FBO complex at Sharjah International Airport (OMSJ) in the UAE and an expansion and modernization of its facility at Jersey Airport (EGJJ) in the Channel Islands.
Much of the capital momentum for the recalibration of Gama Aviation’s business model came from the November 2023 sale of its U.S. maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) subsidiary, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-10-18/gama-aviation-selling-jet-east-west-star-131m">Jet East, to West Star Aviation</a>. Now the company is striving to expand its revenues from MRO work conducted for other aircraft operators through the 21 type approvals it holds at its main engineering base in Bournemouth, UK, and at several other facilities.
Gama Aviation recently expanded its mobile service team with an additional hub at London Luton Airport, which is now supporting around 1,500 aircraft a year. It is also adding support capacity in the Middle East and Europe.
According to Khalek, the <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-03-04/gama-promotes-new-sharjah-fbo-long-haul-tech-stops">Sharjah facility</a> is expected to fully open during the third quarter and is backed by an investment of around $70 million. He said the less-crowded airport offers an attractive alternative to Dubai International Airport (OMDB), where business aircraft operators now struggle to get access. The company believes Sharjah, which has a dedicated terminal and hangar, offers better access to the center of Dubai than the more remote Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW).
In addition to the facility at Jersey, where the new investment totals $25 million, Gama Aviation also has an FBO at Glasgow in Scotland. “We’re not followers in this industry; we try to take responsibility for growing the size of the market by adding complementary businesses, like Sharjah,” Khalek commented.
<h2>Boutique Management and Charter Service</h2>
Gama Aviation is also seeking to differentiate itself in the aircraft management and charter market, where it plans to provide a boutique service for a select group of clients. To add to the air operator certificates it holds in the UK, the UAE, and the Cayman Islands, last year the company acquired Tyrolean Jets and Services to add European Union-based AOCs in Austria and Malta, as well as one for San Marino.
According to Graham Williamson, the highly experienced managing director of the group’s aircraft management and charter business, his team is aiming to operate a fleet of between 40 and 50 aircraft, including a mix of five or so types, to achieve some economies of scale. “We position ourselves between larger operators like VistaJet and Luxaviation and smaller operators,” he said. “We’re focused on customers who want a very personal level of service and are willing to pay for it. We won’t be the cheapest, and this is mainly a referral business.”
Williamson told AIN that price fluctuation in the charter sector, in part due to overcapacity of aircraft in Europe, has reinforced Gama Aviation’s intention to be more selective in the bookings it seeks. Its focus is on high-value flights where its ability to respond quickly in challenging circumstances is a service differentiator, such as providing transport for prominent music industry performers on tour.
Gama Aviation’s special missions business encompasses air medical emergency flight operations contracts across the UK. It has increased its support for the offshore oil and gas sector through a joint venture with Bond Helicopters, operating in the North Sea from Norwich. The unit also serves various branches of the UK military, such as providing maintenance for the Royal Air Force’s Beechcraft King Air fleet.
The special missions group is expanding its involvement in drone detection and mitigation services based on counter-uncrewed air systems (CUAS) technology. Working with partners such as mobile rotorcraft operations support provider Helipad, Gama Aviation has provided support at major public events such as the annual Cheltenham Gold Cup horse racing meeting, where it intercepted a drone that threatened the safety of VIP flights.
Ryan McGrath, Gama Aviation’s security manager, said his team will be providing CUAS protection at events such as this summer’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The group is also set to participate in a demonstration exercise for NATO militaries in Germany this October.
Additionally, Gama Aviation is expanding its software-as-a-service portfolio, with its presence in the U.S. market significantly bolstered by demand for its MyAirOps software, which has been developed mainly with corporate flight departments in mind. Tim Ford, managing director of the technology and outsourcing business unit, said his team is now looking to expand the role of artificial intelligence in operational support.
It also conducts specialist advisory services covering regulatory compliance and intelligence-as-a-service for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance technology deployed by the company for special missions clients.

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