Shelton, CT, USA, 4 May 2016 – Gama Aviation, the global aviation services company, has increased its AOG peak period support in preparation for the large wave of private jets and spectators expected to travel into Louisville this coming weekend for the Kentucky Derby. As one of the biggest sporting events of the year, drawing crowds of over 150,000, the race weekend is expected to see around 300 private aircraft fly in racegoers from across the globe.
The 142nd running of the Kentucky Derby will be held at the usual Churchill Downs Race Track on Saturday, May 7, 2016. Additional peak period support from Gama Aviation has been put in place during the weekend at Louisville International and the surrounding airports.
Dennis Richey, Executive Vice President, commented: “We look forward to, and carry out extensive planning for these special events. We have been positioning our AOG/mobile teams for our customer base at various locations already and know and understand the time constraints our clients are under when going to the Kentucky Derby. It’s known as the fastest two minutes in sport and our clients’ expectations are equally demanding. Happily, we have been able to showcase the strength of this part of our business year after year.”
This weekend is the second major sporting event Gama Aviation has responded to in the last month. At the beginning of April, Gama Aviation supported in excess of 150 callouts with its customers at the Masters Tournament. In addition to the upcoming Kentucky Derby, preparations have already begun for the Players Championship and the U.S Open to follow.
Gama Aviation has operations in 45 different locations in 17 countries across five continents, making it one of the world’s leading aviation services companies. Its services include: line and base maintenance; FBO services; engineering design; aircraft management; charter operations; training; and aviation and ground management systems.
About Gama Aviation
Gama Aviation is a multi-disciplinary, global aviation services company which specialises in providing support for individuals, corporations and government agencies; allowing them to deliver on the promises they make. Founded in 1983 by Marwan Khalek and Stephen Wright, the company employs over 900 people at 45 bases worldwide operating over 145 aircraft on behalf of its clients. In the year ending 31 December 2015, Gama Aviation Plc (AIM: GMAA) earned revenues of $413.1m, a 15.1% increase on the previous year’s pro-forma basis and has a market capitalisation equivalent to approximately $169m.
