Ocean Sky new chief sets eyes on Mid East FBOs

Ocean Sky’s new chief executive officer Stephen Grimes has announced significant expansion plans to increase its fixed-base operations from three to 12 within the next 12 months.

The Ocean Sky group now includes aircraft brokerage, charter, management, sales, maintenance and FBO divisions.

It has three existing jet centres, all in the United Kingdom: Glasgow Prestwick, Manchester and, since April 2009, Luton.

“We are in advanced discussions to open new facilities in France, Spain, Italy and Ireland,” said Grimes. “Our plan is to have a chain of FBOs reaching from Ireland as far as Italy, eventually reaching out to the Middle East.”

Grimes said the accelerated growth rate planned for 2010 was partly due to the economic downturn offering acquisition opportunities, but also to clear demand from clients. The group recently acquired the German aviation company Triple Alpha.*

A number of key appointments have been made to strengthen the Ocean Sky management.
Andrew Hughes, formerly of International Jetclub, has joined as Managing Director of the Ocean Sky Aircraft Management division and Natalie Raper, formerly business development director at Luton Airport and Director of Marketing for Ocean Sky Jet Centre, becomes Director of Marketing for the Ocean Sky Group.