Gama Aviation, the global aviation services company, today inaugurated a brand new 2,480 m2 maintenance hangar, offices and executive aircraft handling facility in Glasgow, Scotland. The centre, representing an investment of £3.8m, creates a number of new flight crew, engineering, operations and customer service jobs.

Not only does the new facility provide a modern and convenient aircraft charter base for Gama Aviation’s Scottish based customers, but the Gama Aviation Executive Terminal (FBO) will be operational in readiness for the prestigious golf tournament, the Ryder Cup and the Commonwealth Games, when the city expects to handle a large volume of business and VIP visitors. Gama Aviation will provide full base and line maintenance in the new hangar, to support the Beechcraft King Air 200s operating an essential service for the Scottish Air Ambulance. In addition Gama Aviation anticipates significant third party aircraft maintenance activity coming to Glasgow. Gama’s long association with the Scottish Ambulance Service and NHS Scotland commenced in 1993. The air ambulance
	Amanda McMillan and Marwan Khalek at Gama's new Glasgow facility
service is an essential component of the provision of healthcare in Scotland. These specially equipped aircraft together with the highly trained medical and flight crews provide round-the-clock cover for routine and urgent patient transfer.

The new landmark facility was designed and built by a number of Scottish firms including: Architects: The Kerr Practice; Construction: CCG; Quantity Surveyors: The Hope Partnership; Structural Engineers: Dewar Associates; Mechanical & Electrical: Summit Renewable Services; Signage: FX Signs.

New Beechcraft King Air 350C available for charter from Glasgow

Gama Aviation has presented a newly delivered Beechcraft King Air 350C multi role business turboprop aircraft, which will be available for charter from Scotland. The aircraft will be popular with local executives seeking easy, reliable access to the more remote parts of Scotland, along with offering a cost effective and efficient mode of transport for trips to the UK and Europe. It will also serve as an ad-hoc additional aircraft to support the Scottish Air Ambulance. The King Air 350C features a large cargo door, making it suitable for rapid response cargo missions servicing the need of the oil and gas industries in particular.

Speaking to assembled guests, Gama Aviation CEO Marwan Khalek said: “We are delighted to complete the first phase of this significant investment project, which is a great showcase for our wide ranging aviation capabilities - all under one roof. We are extremely proud to have been here in Scotland for over two decades and this new facility underlines our long term commitment to this region. We are also delighted to announce the creation of new jobs here in Glasgow as we look towards Phase 2 of our investment programme, when we will double the hangarage and handling capacity of our new facility in 2014.”

He thanked Glasgow Airport Ltd, the Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Scotland, the many local partners and contractors and Gama Aviation’s investors for their support and co-operation in the accomplishment of this project.

Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: “This new facility is a fantastic vote of confidence in the city of Glasgow and the airport. Gama Aviation is making a considerable investment, creating jobs and new business, and the announcement of a second phase of investment underlines this commitment. By using local suppliers right through the design and construction process it has also ensured the economy in this area benefits even further.

“Glasgow Airport has always been home to a wide range of aviation services and this new facility is a fantastic addition, which provides more scope for dedicated business flights as well as the hugely important Scottish Air Ambulance service. The airport is investing heavily to improve our facilities ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and this new state-of-the-art aviation centre is a hugely welcome addition.”