Press Release

Issued by London Ashford Airport Ltd.

October 28, 2014

The recent financial crisis has had a major impact on every corner of the global economy but business aviation has been among the worst hit sectors. One Kent company, however, has not only managed to survive the recession but has been strategically planning for growth and is now firmly setting its sights on expansion.

The Atlantic Bridge Aviation Group (ABA) has been providing commercial and business aviation services globally for more than 25 years, trading in aircraft, aircraft leasing and aviation consultancy.

As well as owning a successful airline (LyddAir Ltd and its division World Executive Airways), operating piston, turbo-prop and jet equipment on domestic and international routes, ABA offers fractional ownership through its Air Share division and is also a shareholder in Lydd Airport in Kent, where ABA is headquartered.

Now, having weathered the storm of the economic downturn, ABA managing director Jonathan Gordon says the group is poised to expand and diversify into new areas.

The recent closure of Kent International Airport at Manston means Lydd (or London Ashford as it's known) is now the closest charter airport for more than a million potential customers, making the enhancement of ABA's on-demand charter service a prime focus for the company over the next three years, says Jonathan.

“ABA has a number of key initiatives in the corporate hospitality markets,” adds Jonathan, himself a qualified airline captain with worldwide jet experience. “On-demand charter represents an ideal approach to flying privately for clients with occasional travel needs, those who need to travel internationally or whose itinerary changes frequently.”

Hospitality charter packages to Le Touquet will also be introduced, complete with return transfers from London and Champagne on arrival, supplementing ABA's long-established scheduled flights to the jewel of France's Opale Coast.

With Lydd Airport itself embarking on a multi-million-pound expansion (preliminary work on its runway extension is expected to get under way before Christmas) ABA is also planning to launch and promote aircraft sales at Lydd.

“The general aviation market has grown at about 1% per year over the last decade and there are approximately 40,000 'regular trading' aircraft – i.e. aircraft that could be bought, sold or leased – within 500 miles of Lydd,” says Jonathan. “Some 7,500 of those are in the UK, so there's huge potential.”

Jet ownership, which took a massive nosedive during the recession as cash-strapped companies rushed to sell off their aircraft, is also on the rise again says Jonathan: “With increasing problems of congestion and delay at major airports, companies and wealthy individuals who value their time and quality of life are finding the idea of a private jet attractive again.

“A small jet operating from a convenient local airport is always going to be faster and more flexible than the commercial alternative. And when you consider the benefits – from doing away with airport security frustrations to enjoying vip handling wherever you go – it's money well invested.”

Jonathan also sees significant growth potential in ABA's fractional ownership programme Air Share, as more companies and well-heeled individuals seek access to affordable executive air travel. “As the economy continues to strengthen, the concept is becoming increasingly attractive to those who fly on a regular basis. By offering entry level aircraft, ABA's clients can sample the benefits of ownership at a fraction of the cost – and with a management package that's virtually impossible to better.”

As well as enhancing and expanding its current services, ABA is venturing into new territory: already established in transporting human organs for transplant, the company now plans to launch an international air ambulance service from 2015.

“This would provide an additional dimension to the company's activities,” says Jonathan. “Being based at Lydd, which is only 15 minutes' flying time from the French coast, we already have a distinct advantage. It's the closest airport in the UK to the majority of European destinations, which would save both reaction time as well as cost.

“We are in talks with the Care Quality Commission, who regulate medical repatriation companies, and travel insurance providers who are responsible for commissioning such services.

“We're already exploring the options for a dedicated aircraft, which would be equipped with a Life Port stretcher and ICU equipment, and recruiting a team of part-time doctors and nurses drawn from local hospitals in Kent and East Sussex.”

ABA's growth plan also includes developing a second operating hub out of the Isle of Man, where it has successfully been providing on-demand charter services; and developing its website to promote its international aviation consultancy services, such as airline start-ups, to a wider global marketplace.