The British Business and General Aviation Association (BBGA) has appointed Paul Cremer as chair of its Operations Working Group. The group, composed of representatives from aircraft operators, focuses on a wide array of issues, including ongoing difficulties faced by UK companies since the country left the European Union and EASA’s air safety jurisdiction.
Cremer, who is head of aviation delivery at Gama Aviation, has taken over from Wally Epton, who has chaired the BBGA’s Operations Working Group for six years. During his 40-year career in business aviation, he has been involved with aircraft management and charter, air ambulance work, ground support, air traffic control, airport management, and airworthiness oversight.
“Being out of the EU and EASA has made life more complicated for UK operators,” commented BBGA CEO Marc Bailey. “We need to collaborate and share information with the [UK] Civil Aviation Authority and the Department for Transport to make things happen for the benefit of all our members.”
According to Cremer, he wants the group to prioritize matters such as flight permits and third-country operator regulations, as well as the adoption of advanced technology for tasks such as handling passenger information and other operational data.
He also believes the BBGA should focus intently on the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel, as well as airspace and airport access concerns. “We have a raft of issues which aren’t unique to the UK, but as Europe’s largest national association, under the EBAA, they are invariably at the top of our inbox, demanding solutions,” he said. “We do this drawing on our close working relationship with the regulators.”
Gama Aviation is primarily engaged in areas such as aircraft management and charter, as well as running FBOs and providing maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. It has also diversified its activities through subsidiaries such as FlyerTech, which acts as a continuing airworthiness management organization for airlines, and data solutions provider Myairops.
Cremer said he intends to hold meetings of the Operations Working Group across the UK. The most recent meeting, at London Biggin Hill Airport, included representatives from 20 of BBGA’s 200 member companies.