PremiAir enjoys successful Cheltenham Festival

Friday 20th March, 2009

PremiAir, the UK’s leading executive helicopter management and charter company, experienced an extremely busy flying schedule last week, transporting race-goers to Gloucestershire to enjoy the pinnacle of the National Hunt Season - the Cheltenham Festival.

While Kauto Star wrote his name into racing legend by reclaiming the Cheltenham Gold Cup with emphatic panache, PremiAir was busy utilising the majority of its 12-strong executive charter fleet ensuring that savvy race-goers were transported in stress-free style, leaving them with plenty of time to soak up the electric racecourse atmosphere. In total PremiAir operated over 20 flights during the four day festival.

Passengers flew in from starting points throughout the UK, including The London Heliport, Farnborough Airport and hotels including von Essen’s Lower Slaughter House and Washbourne Court, in the Cotswolds, which has its own helipad. There were also several corporate bookings organised from PremiAir’s charter operating Base at Denham Aerodrome near Uxbridge, one of which utilised four helicopters over two days to transport guests in ultimate luxury.

“We are delighted that in these turbulent times, PremiAir continues to be the provider of choice to discerning customers looking for a first-class service,” said, David Langton, PremiAir’s Sales & Customer Service Manager. “We offer our clients a premium VIP charter service at a competitive price, plus complimentary champagne on all flights to key social events. Our fleet of twin-engined executive helicopters also provides the capability to offer a variety of flexible travel options, such as large corporate group trips to social events like Cheltenham. The sheer size of our fleet gives our clients total peace of mind that we will not let them down.”

“All the signs are very positive for the rest of the year and we’re already taking bookings for the next events in the social calendar, including Royal Ascot and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. Our helicopters can pick up from pretty much anywhere within a flying distance of 200 miles, ensuring that passengers have the benefit of a full and enjoyable day without the hassle and inconvenience associated with congested road networks around key social events.”

Established for more than 25 years, PremiAir is the UK’s leading provider of executive aircraft management and charter services and is a consecutive four-year winner of Buying Business Travel’s Diamond Award (Best Executive Aviation Provider).

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Established 25 years ago, PremiAir is the UK’s largest Executive Helicopter operating and charter company. It has bases at Blackbushe, Oxford and Farnborough Airports in the UK

PremiAir also manages and operates The London Heliport at Battersea which remains the UK capitals only commercial heliport. New ultra modern business aviation terminal facilities will be opening late 2009 connected to a new luxury 5 star hotel development.

PremiAir flies approximately 4,000 charter hours a year with its modern fleet of Sikorsky 76s, Eurocopter Twin Squirrels and one Bell 222. It has 18 Executive Helicopters on management programmes, providing a turnkey service to the owner – either private companies or individuals.

PremiAir Aircraft Engineering, an FAA, EASA, CAA Part 145-approved organisation, is a Hawker Beechcraft Authorised Service Centre supporting the full range of Beechcraft products. For rotary wing support PremiAir is a Sikorsky Service Centre for the S76 (all models) and a Bell Customer Service Facility for Bell 222, 230 and 430. It is also one of the largest Eurocopter maintenance centres in Europe supporting EC155, AS365 Dauphin and AS355 Twin Squirrel. Also it provides for support services on the AgustaWestland 109 model range. PremiAir is also a Pratt & Whitney Canada recognised maintenance facility and is a distributor for Honeywell, Rockwell Collins and numerous other equipment vendors.

PremiAir Aircraft Engineering boasts Part 21J and G design and manufacturer approvals for aircraft modifications. With a large and experienced design office team, the company provides full refurbishment and upgrade services on most executive helicopter types and a wide range of fixed wing aircraft, including the full Beechcraft model range. Fixed wing aircraft are maintained at a new facility at Oxford Airport, which opened in October last year.

PremiAir is a leading player in the provision of pilots to the UK Police Forces with contracts with 10 UK / Ireland Police Air Support units – both rotary and fixed wing operations.

Farnborough-based PremiAir Global is the company’s aircraft sales and brokerage specialist. It specialises in acquiring and selling new and used helicopters and business jets and is based at Farnborough Airport, UK.

Buying Business Travel Diamond Award Winner 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 Best Executive Aviation Provider. Luxury Travel Winner Best Private Charter Company 2008.