Gama Aviation’s US subsidiary Gama Charters Inc., is marking a successful 12 months as the operating partner of Wheels Up, a membership-based US private aviation company.

Since flights commenced at the end of October 2013, Gama Charters Inc. has recruited a total of 156 pilots, flying a total of 37 aircraft including 23 Beechcraft King Air 350i turboprops and eight Cessna Citation Excels. Four more King Air 350i’s, are due to arrive by the end of this year, with eight more of the type joining the Wheels Up fleet by June 2015, as well as two more Excels by the end of 2014.

Wheels Up launched in August 2013 as a revolutionary membership-based program which greatly reduced the upfront investment needed to fly privately. The company launched the program by announcing a deal for 105 King Air 350i’s from Beechcraft, the largest turboprop order in business aviation history. Currently, Wheels Up has over 750+ members and anticipates finishing the year with over 1,000 members.

“We have been very fortunate to recruit highly experienced, customer service focused, business aviation pilots, along with a best-in-class operations team to back them up,” said Tom Connelly, President of Gama Charters Inc. “They have slotted right in to the Gama Aviation culture and the busy flying schedule that is Wheels Up - now supporting 40+ flights daily, flying Wheels Up members coast-to-coast.”

New line maintenance base at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

In parallel with the explosive growth that Gama Charters is experiencing across the board, Gama Support Services Inc, its affiliate, has also continued its planned growth with line maintenance facilities in Las Vegas, West Palm Beach, and Van Nuys, and by the end of the year will add its sixth maintenance base - Dallas, to support the growth of Wheels Up.

“I’m proud to say we now have a 100-strong maintenance workforce, operating coast-to-coast to provide services to our managed customers and fleet operations,” continues Connelly. “This relationship continues to go from strength-to-strength,” added Mr. Connelly. “It really is as good as it can get. Wheels Up focuses on sales, marketing and membership and Gama ensures the aircraft are ready to fly, pilots trained and we are operationally ready to go under the safest parameters in the industry.”

“Working with Gama Aviation over the last 14-18 months has been a joy. They have delivered at every point, supporting the promises we make to our members by providing excellent service,” added Kenny Dichter, Founder and CEO of Wheels Up. “We selected Gama Aviation as the exclusive operator of the King Air 350i and Cessna Citation Excel/XLS fleet based on their focus on safety, like-minded entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to members and with the success of the relationship and the program Wheels Up continues to grow daily."