Gama Aviation, which began commercial operations with one Beech Baron in 1983, is finalising the launch of an operation based at the heart of the booming Middle East private aviation market. "The first step was to fulfill our commitment to develop a UAE-based company," says gm Dave Edwards. "We are ready to push the whole project forward and I will be flying out this month to finalise the details."

Marwan Khalek, ceo, adds: "Expansion within the GCC region is an exciting step in Gama's development but it will be done in tandem with our growth in our other markets. We are looking at more acquisition opportunities throughout Europe."

The UAE is among the most favoured locations for private aviation bases to target business in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries which also include Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar. Gama will be operating from Dubai and Sharjah in the UAE where it has already built business contacts.

Khalek says: "We should have our own UAE AOC within months. The plan is to develop a full FBO and maintenance operation in the emirates. However, we currently manage a UK registered business jet which is semi-permanently based in Dubai, and we have built up a knowledge of the region. Therefore, we are well-placed to recognise a good business opportunity should it arise."

In the U.S. Gama has acquired PrivatAir Inc., the U.S. arm of the Swiss-based PrivatAir Group. Now branded as Gama Aviation Inc., the company remains based in Stratford with operating bases at Teterboro, New Jersey; West Palm Beach, Florida; Norwich, New York and at 15 other satellite bases.

But Khalek recalls: "It was in 1983 that Gama Aviation first saw the light of day at Fairoaks airport, a small aerodrome with an 800 metre runway 30 miles from central London." Co-founders Khalek, and Steve Wright, now operations director, shared responsibility for everything from finding the customers to flying the aircraft.

"What a 25 years it has been," says Khalek. "We come from a lowly Baron at Fairoaks to a fleet of more than 65 aircraft based around the world, a team of nearly 300 pilots, and a round-the-clock operation that is borne of relentless growth."

Now headquartered at Farnborough, Gama has bases in Moscow, Geneva, Zurich, Aberdeen and Glagow. Khalek says: "As a fundamentally British company our traditions are European. However, the time is right for us now to branch out into the Middle East and American marketplaces and these are opportunities that excite us."

Gama is a prime example of a charter operation expanding into a multi-service provider or a one-stop shop for private aviation services.

Organic growth and strategic acquisitions have broadened Gama's services to include Gama Support Services, its aircraft engineering division; Gama Leasing Ltd., which specialises in the acquisition, sales and leasing of aircraft; Gama Aviation, its Swiss-registered aviation services provider and Gama Aviation Inc. that covers the U.S. market and an FBO is now in the offing. An agreement with a private equity group has enabled Gama, a name chosen and formed by putting together the initials of names of four of Khalek's immediate family, to accelerate its expansion programme. The group has acquired a 33 per cent stake but Khalek retains overall control.

From Europe, Gama now operates a BBJ, Global Express, Global 5000, Gulfstreams including the G550, Challengers, Hawkers including the 4000 and Learjet 45s and 60s. These are complemented by the Beechcraft 1900, 200C, Sikorsky S76C++ and a range of Eurocopters. But: "We intend to add to the quality of our fleet where necessary," says Khalek.

And the hard-working early days in 1983 when Gama survived by taking contracts to ferry orphan animals to surrogate mothers, are far from forgotten. "We are still hungry for business and focused on service," says Khalek.