Gama secures Jersey HondaJet premiere
Gama Aviation plc - which earlier this year acquired Jersey-based Aviation Beauport Ltd - has secured the inaugural visit to the channel island of the new HA-420 HondaJet today.
Copyright Chris George
The advanced light jet is being exclusively showcased by Gama Aviation at an event today at Jersey Airport (above).
The HA-420 HondaJet seats up to six passengers and the first one was recently delivered in Europe last month. It incorporates many technological innovations in aviation design, including having its engines above the wing (its unique Over the Wing Engine Mount configuration), which reduces aerodynamic drag.
Marwan Khalek, CEO of Gama Aviation Plc commented: “We were delighted to complete our acquisition of Aviation Beauport Ltd earlier this year and are thrilled that during our first client event we can welcome the HA-420 HondaJet to Jersey, on its maiden visit.”
“Jersey is an attractive business aviation market with a number of high net worth local residents, offshore and aircraft owning businesses; leading to 3,368 business aircraft departures from Jersey in 2015, an 8.3% increase on 2014(1). With new types such as the HondaJet, the advent of single engine commercial operations and new membership models such as Wheels Up, we see exciting times ahead for our FBO as demand continues to rise.”
“Furthermore, the launch last November of the Jersey Aircraft Registry (a new proposition for the registration of high-value private and corporate aircraft on the island) will provide an additional boost.”
“We are excited to showcase the HondaJet in Jersey, and bring the first European delivered aircraft into the Channel Islands,” said Simon Roads, Director of Sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Honda Aircraft Company (HACI).
“The appointment of Marshall Aircraft Sales Limited (MASL) as Northern European dealer last year has meant that we are able to strengthen the aircraft’s presence across the UK and Scandinavia. Bringing the aircraft into Gama Aviation’s new facility has meant that we are able to demonstrate the HondaJet’s outstanding performance and overall fit and finish, in an excellent location.”