Global Trek Aviation invests in Cardiff Airport

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Global Trek Aviation invests in Cardiff Airport
Cardiff Airport is delivering on the first phase of its Masterplan, with the announcement of a new flight handling operator.
Global Trek Aviation has chosen Cardiff Airport as the second location in the next phase of its expansion, with a dedicated facility set to open for business in April 2019. The company will make use of the Airport’s portfolio of facilities which are available 24/7, all year round.
The company will support Cardiff Airport’s ambitions to diversify its business by making further use of its products and services and attract new business, in the form of fuel-related transit flights.
The established Fixed Base Operator (FBO) which specialises in world-class aircraft handling, will be based on the south side of Cardiff Airport’s airfield and provide a wealth of specialist air handling services from its new facility.
With a busy and successful operation already established at Belfast International Airport, Global Trek chose to invest in Wales as its second location in response to Cardiff Airport’s ambitious plans to grow and diversify the business, as laid out in its Masterplan.
Gordon Bingham, Chief Operating Officer of Global Trek Aviation, commented “We’re delighted to be opening this all-new facility at Cardiff Airport. Its location is ideal for us in terms of our strategic plans and we see the tremendous potential of the site.
“We are investing in the creation of a bespoke, state-of-the-art facility on the south side of the Airport with a dedicated lounge, private offices, a crew briefing centre, flight operations facilities and an integrated security suite which will create new jobs.
“Recruiting team members early and training them to the highest standard with NATA Safety 1st certification, will ensure we are ready to provide a world-class service from day one that meets our standards of excellence.”
Spencer Birns, Commercial Director at Cardiff Airport, added: “Global Trek’s announcement is really the first significant step taken in the development plans set out in our Masterplan.
“Our vision for success includes a clear strategy to diversify our air service activities and encourage use of our facilities all year round.
“A huge part of our focus for the next 20 years is to continue to explore innovative ways to diversify our business and create new business opportunities. Today’s announcement is a reflection of this ambition and is a great way to begin 2019.
“It’s fantastic to see that an established brand like Global Trek has recognised the great potential that exists at Cardiff Airport, and indeed in Wales.
“We very much look forward to the official opening of Global Trek’s brand new facility at Cardiff Airport in a few short months.”
To enquire about recruitment opportunities at Global Trek’s new facility at Cardiff Airport contact Gordon Bingham - Global Trek Aviation [email protected]

 

On the SWAG facebook page concerns were raised that Global Trek would effect Signature's operations at Cardiff but it appears from info provided in a comment that Global Trek operate in a different part of the market as Signature. As a result once they base CWL should start seeing ferry flights coming through the airprort in the future.

 

Gordon Bingham, Chief Operating Officer of Global Trek Aviation, commented “We’re delighted to be opening this all-new facility at Cardiff Airport. Its location is ideal for us in terms of our strategic plans and we see the tremendous potential of the site.
“We are investing in the creation of a bespoke, state-of-the-art facility on the south side of the Airport with a dedicated lounge, private offices, a crew briefing centre, flight operations facilities and an integrated security suite which will create new jobs.
“Recruiting team members early and training them to the highest standard with NATA Safety 1st certification, will ensure we are ready to provide a world-class service from day one that meets our standards of excellence.”

It will be naive to assume that Global Trek has no intention take on Signature at Cardiff Airport. I imagine that the ambition of Cardiff Airport is that they can entice more aircraft to the airfield in the way of their current client base.

It is mentioned in the above press release that it will be a creation of a bespoke, state-of-the-art facility which have the following;

• Dedicated Lounge
• Crew Briefing Centre
• Flight Operations Facilities
• Integrated security suite

In my opinion they are out not just to become a technical stop operator for Cardiff Airport.

At their other location they currently offer the below facilities;

• Full Ground Handling Services
• Customs & Immigration
• Weather Packages
• Free Hotel reservations arrangements
• Free Transportation arrangements
• VIP Catering
• Fuel (JET A1)
• Passenger & Aircraft Security for qualifying flight
• Tailored FBO Services
• Airside VIP Lounge / Coffee Bar / Complimentary refreshments
• Fully Wi-Fi configured FBO
• Shower facilities
• Direct ramp transfers

Also looking at their website US military seem to be user of the facility.

Initially to be up and running by the Summer then this will have to be in prefabricated building or fancy Portakabin or Yorkon modular building.

One thing that cannot be underestimated is the fact that Signature Flight Support is a worldwide brand with global customers. There are benefits to using Signature Flight Support where they operate and this reduces the cost of handling fees. Also the team at Cardiff have been in place for over 12 years and regular users of Cardiff Airport will be familiar with using them.

It ill be interesting to see how this plans out and whether or not new apron area will also be provided as on airlift events we can be over subscribed. Most of the time however parking will be ample.

 

Also looking at their website US military seem to be user of the facility.

I do wonder who sought who out whether it was Global that contacted Cardiff or the other way around. Also Cardiff does see a fair bit of UK military use for training so i wonder if they want to attract US military flights as well.
With a new FBO on the southside is their room to expand the apron there?

 

There is plenty of room to expand apron areas Southside and replace several grasses areas. The issue really is the cost as it depends on the aircraft type that used it and how deep it needs to be.

One option possible is to relocate the GA aircraft but unsure of where they can be relocated too.

Be brilliant to see the US military aircraft but not sure if we will see any.

 

A proud moment for the Global Trek Aviation Cardiff Int'l, UK (EGFF) team, as they proudly hold their Gulfstream plaques in recognition of being fully trained and certified to line support all their mid cabin and large cabin models.

https://www.facebook.com/560264857446086/posts/1379466212192609

 

Global Trek officially opens new FBO at Cardiff Airport | UK Aviation News

ukaviation.news

The FBO has been officially opened yesterday after the soft launch earlier in the year. Hopefully there will be many more interesting USAF and other planes for local spotters!

 

I saw a Facebook post just now which said that Global trek handled their first football team charter on the Southside of the airfield. It was an Eastern Airways E145 believed to be bringing Cardiff city back from playing Blackburn. Will be interesting to see if all or how many of the sport team charters now shift to the Southside.

 

Global Trek Aviation handled both the outbound on the Friday and the return on the Saturday.