Press Release

Issued by Woodgate Aviation.

July 17, 2017

Woodgate Aviation is making a determined effort to secure the business of golf's top performers ahead of the Open Championship at Royal Portrush in 2019.

The fixed based operator (FBO) recently attended the successful Irish Open at Portstewart to make the golfing and showbiz fraternity aware of the full range of facilities available at its Belfast International Airport hangar.

Woodgate Aviation managing director, John Keen, talked to golf's elite and organisers of both the Irish Open and The Open, and found a ready reception. He also managed a round of golf with a former snooker World Champion, Dennis Taylor, and famous actors, James Nesbitt and Jamie Dornan, alongside former British and Irish Lion and commentator, Stephen Ferris and singer, Shane Filan.

Afterwards, John said: “Woodgate Aviation got a fabulous reception. We have a product that's second to none with the most modern hangar anywhere in the island of Ireland. We can accommodate golfers, organisers and supporters who wish to fly in to our base and then travel on, either by private helicopter or road, to not only Portrush but any of the other world-renowned courses we have in Northern Ireland. Our arrangement with AvFuel means we offer most competitive rates for re-fuelling and we have ample space to meet the needs of those who wish to stay over for a few days.

“We're looking forward to 2019, and will be making very determined efforts to secure the business of private jet operators or owners who, like us, are fans of the sport. It will be the biggest sporting occasion Northern Ireland has every hosted, and we, too, will be showcasing our first-class facility which no other operator can claim to have in Northern Ireland.”

Snooker's Dennis Taylor, flew into Woodgate from Liverpool on board a King Air and was given a guided tour of the hangar. Dennis said: “The whole facility's fantastic. In a couple of years' time, when the British Open is here, why not fly into here and then just pop up in a helicopter to Portrush. I'm very, very impressed with the hangar. It really is something special.”