MEAMARKETS / UAE BUSINESS AWARDS 2017 95 , UA170034 UA170013 Gama Aviation is a dynamic and innovative firm offering private jet management, charter, VIP passenger and aircraft handling, maintenance and aviation software solutions. We spoke to Oliver Hewson to find out more. Gate Gourmet is a leading global provider of airline catering and provisioning services. Snezhana (Jana) Vakova talks us through the firmand how it works to achieve excellence. Best Business Aviation Services Provider 2017 Best Airline Catering Company 2017 Founded in 1983 by Marwan Khalek, Gama Aviation is a global business aviation services organization, operating over 250 aircraft, with more than 45 bases across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. Oliver outlines how the firm works to provide excellence to its vast array of clients, who include Royalty, HNWIs, athletes, celebrities, musicians, government departments, ministries of defence, air ambulance operations, fellow business jet operators, and helicopter operators. “Here at Game Aviation, we aim to deliver unparalleled service, in the air and on the ground by going the extra mile with our attention to detail, respect for our clients’ requirements and our care for their assets. Throughout Gama Aviation’s global locations, we conduct regular Customer Relationship Management training courses in addition to continual on-job-training by line managers to ensure the company’s client focused culture is adhered to. One of our core values is to remain authentic and true; to be honest with our clients and shareholders, and to act responsibly for them. We look to achieve this by encouraging staff to consistently improve, and we enable them to do so Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with 39,000 employees, gategroup-Gate Gourmet operates over 200 facilities in 50 countries on six continents. Full catering services by Michelin Star chefs are offered, in addition to a full range of concierge services, including but not limited to daily international magazines and newspaper delivery, fine luxury equipment washing, and flower delivery. Snezhana outlines how the firm works to achieve excellence in every aspect of its work. “To maintain the highest culinary levels and a consistent product, our chefs around the world are supported by a global program of investment in their development and the latest food technology, called Sustaining Progress in Culinary Excellence, an award winning culinary program that brings together customers and chefs alike in a true collaboration of passion, creativity and expertise ready to exchange skills and knowledge as well as to enjoy great food and company.” A division of Gate Gourmet, Executive Gourmet is a separate brand offering a complete catering executive aviation solution which opened in Al with focused investment that increases their expertise.” Looking ahead, Game Aviation is keen to grow as a business by creating a new base, which Oliver is eager to discuss in his concluding comments. “In 2018 we plan to open our new Business Aviation Centre in Sharjah International Airport, which will replace our existing facility. It will be the cornerstone to our company’s continued expansion in the region. Once completed, the facility will comprise of world class passenger and crew facilities; two 5,000 square metre hangars; hangars able to accommodate all business aircraft including Airbus ACJ & Boeing BBJ aircraft; Approx. 20,000 sqm’s of external aircraft parking and roughly150 sqm of commercial office space for Business Aviation tenants. “Sharjah International has seen business aviation traffic rise due to its proximity to the financial districts of Dubai. Capacity restrictions at Dubai International and the driving distance to Dubai South have also helped Sharjah International develop as a business aviation destination. As such we are proud to be working with them to develop our business further and support even more clients.” Bateen Executive Airport in 2011 and has since gone from strength to strength. “At “executive gourmet” every request is special and exclusive. We offer unparalleled flexibility, efficiency and warmth - all tailored to execute the guest specific requests. To maintain the highest culinary levels and a consistent product, our executive chef Thomas Harker is at the helm of the kitchen and has a natural flare and instinct when it comes to food and what a high end customer expects. With experience providing the highest quality meals to royalty, he is able to offer the very finest level of quality and produce memorable and flavourful dishes to entice even the most discerning of palettes.” Looking to the future, growth is the firm’s primary focus, as Snezhana is keen to emphasise in her concluding comments. “Moving forward, we are eager to continue increasing our customer portfolio and are currently working in partnership with Emirates Catering for both Dubai Airports (DWC-OMDW and DXB-OMDB) in order to facilitate this. We are also extending our offer to other airports in the UAE working along with other stakeholders in order to grow and build upon our current success throughout the region.” Company: Gama Aviation Contact: Oliver Hewson Email:
[email protected] Address: Middle East HQ, Gate 3A, Sharjah International, PO Box 122389, UAE Phone: 00971 65 027703 Company: Gate Gourmet Catering Arabia LLC Contact: Jana Vakova Email:
[email protected] Address: Al Bateen Executive Airport, Abu Dhabi, PO Box 3333, UAE Phone: #00971 50 899 0403 Website: www.executive-gourmet.com