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Gama continues to grow worldwide presence

Oct. 20, 2010, Atlanta, Ga. – At this week’s NBAA convention, Gama Group (Booth 927) made several announcements of new aircraft joining its worldwide management fleet.


October 20, 2010  By Wings Magazine

Oct. 20, 2010, Atlanta, Ga. – At this week’s NBAA convention, Gama Group (Booth 927) made several announcements of new aircraft joining its worldwide management fleet. The Group also marked several major achievements within the global aircraft management, charter, and services company.

Gama Group is at NBAA highlighting its global business aircraft management and charter capabilities across all manufacturers and a wide range of types, together with its engineering and technical expertise.

The fleet additions include several newly added aircraft at Gama Aviation Inc.’s base of operations at Teterboro, NJ, the heart of business aviation in the Northeast United States. Gama’s Teterboro base, which has been open for nearly one year, has been an instrumental part of Gama’s growth through the recent economic downturn.

The new aircraft include a Global Express, Global 5000, Falcon 2000, and a Gulfstream V. The Gulfstream V will also operate out of Gama’s Farnborough, UK operations base. In addition, Gama Aviation has added a newly delivered Gulfstream G450 under Part 91 management in Savannah, GA. These latest additions to the fleet bring the total fleet size to 39 aircraft in the US and South America.

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Gama Aviation Inc. also noted several personnel announcements at the show. Michael Muehleis and April Sinclair have joined Gama Aviation Inc. in the Charter Services Representative role. Muehleis was previously a Flight Services Associate with a Part 135 Charter operator and is a graduate of Daniel Webster College, and Sinclair served as a Flight Coordinator for a Part 91 Flight Department prior to joining Gama Aviation. Ashley Santini has also been promoted to Senior Charter Services Representative, reporting to Tracy Cassalia, in recognition of her leadership of the Charter Services team.

Gama Aviation Inc. also announced that Scott Ashton, Gama’s Chief Commercial Officer, recently became an NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM), a certification process that tests proficiency in the following areas: leadership, personnel management, operations, technical and facilities services and business management.

Gama Group affiliate Gama Charters Inc. announced they have recently achieved Stage II certification to the International Standards for Business Aviation Operations (IS-BAO) standards, and achieved registration by the Air Charter Safety Foundation. The IS-BAO registration is in addition to Gama Charters’ ISO:9001-2008 registration, and ARG/US Platinum rating, and Gama Charters’ participation in the FAA’s Safety Management System Pilot Program.

Gama Charters Inc. also announced that they have achieved their Part 145 repair station certification approval across three Gama bases in the US – Teterboro, NJ, West Palm Beach, FL, and Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Stratford, CT. This approval covers both Airframe and Powerplant for most major aircraft and engine manufacturers.

In addition to Gama’s expansion in the US, Gama Aviation FZC was awarded its UAE Operating License in February 2010 and anticipates the completion next year of a sizeable new maintenance hangar and FBO facility at Sharjah Airport in Dubai, and the addition of its fourth managed aircraft in the region this month.

“We are pleased with the growth opportunities that we are finding opportunities in a difficult market.” said Marwan Khalek, group CEO, “Our Group culture is firmly focused on safety, quality customer care, and cost containment. Having made significant achievements over the last two years with the addition of the US organization, we are now ready to start looking at broadening our geographical bases, including the West Coast, and further into South America, which is a strong emerging market,” said Marwan Khalek.

Added Scott Ashton, Gama Aviation’s Chief Commercial Officer, “Although the past two years have been difficult for our industry, our team continues to succeed though its focus on Operational Excellence, Cost Management, and relentless customer service.

These timeless values continue to contribute to the value proposition of a professional aircraft management company, especially as the global operational environment becomes more complex. I am proud of the achievements of our team, which exemplifies the entire Gama Group’s commitment to excellence.”

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