Marshall Aviation Services, the business aviation-focused arm of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, is preparing to expand activities at its newly secured Fixed Based Operation (FBO) facility at Birmingham International Airport, UK.

The Birmingham FBO will also be home to a new aircraft sales office for Marshall Aircraft Sales, specific to a new business jet type it will support as Northern Europe sales distributor.

Marshall formally re-opened the Birmingham FBO in March, after undergoing a refresh, in keeping with its corporate colours. Since that time business has been steadily picking up with an increasing number of arriving business jets. Marshall also recently welcomed new tenant companies, Jets4UDirect.com and expanding aircraft valeting company Fly Bright, while business aviation operator Cello Aviation is expanding its base at the FBO with a B737-400 arriving in June to complement its VIP BAE 146 and Avro RJ85 business aircraft models.

Marshall agreed a long term lease of the 2011-built FBO at the start of this year, having first visited and reviewed the business immediately after EBACE 2014. The facility offers comprehensive amenities for both flight crew and passengers, including crew rest facilities, flight planning rooms, and visitor or residential crew offices.

The glass fronted 4,000m² (44,000 sq.ft.) facility also includes 2,500m² (27,000sq.ft) of hangarage space which will be available both to resident and ad-hoc visiting aircraft. Fuel partner Avfuel was also signed up in March.

The addition of the Birmingham FBO adds to the already extensive capabilities of Marshall Aviation Services includes sales and acquisition, management and charter, training, maintenance, refurbishment, refinishing, upgrades, CAMO and AOG. This full spectrum of capabilities allows Marshall Aviation Services to offer unrivalled through life support.

“We intend to capitalise on Birmingham Airport’s central location, especially convenient for the city and surrounding region which is home to over 75,000 companies including major global players and a vibrant conference location. The airport’s 24/7 opening hours, long 3,052m (10,000ft) runway; and plenty of competitively priced apron parking to help attract the largest of business aviation aircraft,” said Marshall Aviation Services Vice President Business Development James Dillon-Godfray, adding “being centrally based and at the heart of the motorway networks helps with ground transportation links – also the multiple commercial flights, enable private aircraft crews to reposition with ease.”

Over £17 million infrastructure investment at Cambridge Airport

Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group is making a £17 million investment in its runway and associated infrastructure. Work, carried out by UK construction group Lagan, also includes improvements for taxiways, drainage systems and airfield lighting. In addition to its business aviation movements, supported by an FBO managed by ExecuJet, (just acquired by LuxAviation) which employs some 80 personnel at Cambridge Airport, the airport hosts four times weekly scheduled services from British Airways Franchise Company Denmark’s SunAir of Scandinavia. SunAir flies Dornier 328 Jet services to Gothenburg (largely frequented by resident blue chip company Astra Zeneca) plus seasonal flights to Verona and Jersey.

Cambridge Airport supports a thriving high tech industry and Science Park and a strong academic community – all requiring quick and easy access to key financial and industries cities in Europe. Its 6447ft/1,965 m runway with full ATC and airport services (fire and ATC to CAT 7 level) making it suitable for jets up to B757 and Airbus ACJ/A320 size. The airport recently delivered three Boeing 757s from Kazakhstan national carrier Air Astana which came in for refinishing at the recently opened refinishing facility which can accept both commercial and military aircraft up to 747-400 and A330 size.

Win a free landing …

During the European Business Aviation Convention (EBACE) in Geneva 20th-23rd Stand No T131 Marshall Aviation Services Birmingham Facility Manager Freddie Judge will be running a a daily business card draw to win a free landing and a day’s parking. The offer is valid through to the end of the year.