Story ID: 
FBO Stalwart Graham Stephenson Flies West
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: Stephenson's aviation career spanned 60 years from British Airways to ExecuJet
Word Count: 233
Graham Stephenson, 84, whose aviation career spanned 60 years from British Airways to ExecuJet, died on October 19. Stephenson became known for his efforts to develop high standards of operations and safety at FBOs globally.
He had a lifelong passion for aviation, obtaining his pilot’s license at age 17—before he passed his driving test. Through an RAF scholarship, he had learned to fly the de Havilland Tiger Moth, according to obituary information from the Emerald Network.
Stephenson later spent 21 years with British Airways, a career that led him to Moscow as traffic manager and then back to London as traffic manager for British Airtours.
He also held stints with London Luton Airport and Saudi Arabian Airlines before moving into business aviation operations as v-p and COO of Jet Aviation Saudi Arabia. In that role, he helped establish an FBO in Jeddah.
Ultimately, he returned to the UK for a role in deputy operations management with Jersey European Airways and then helped in the development of London City Airport’s Jet Centre. By the mid-2000s, he became head of FBOs for ExecuJet Aviation Group, where he helped expand the chain of FBOs globally. He remained active in helping establish FBOs and building FBO standards with his own consultancy after retiring from ExecuJet. This included serving as an IS-BAH auditor for the International Business Aircraft Council.