Gama Aviation has received EASA maintenance approval for its new Bournemouth, UK facility, as it consolidates from its existing Farnborough and Oxford locations. The facility is now approved for work on Beechcraft King Airs and Premiers; Bombardier Challenger 600 family, Challenger 850s, and Globals; Hawkers; Cessna Citation 560/Excel/XL/XLSs; and Embraer Legacy 600/650s.

“With the EASA approval now in place, we shall seek to add FAA, Cayman, Bermudan, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man to the site’s approval list,” said Scott McVicar, Gama’s managing director for Europe ground services. “With the transition approval coming slightly earlier than expected, the good retention of our current team, and significant interest from local engineers and support staff, I believe we are ahead of plan and can now start to book business into our new home.”

The UK-based company also noted that its U.S. maintenance business has completed its 50,000th work order last week, a minor line maintenance item on a Challenger 350, performed at its West Palm Beach, Florida service facility. The aircraft was released back into service on schedule.

“I am delighted that we have reached this milestone,” said Dennis Richey, president of Gama’s U.S. ground business. “Our ability to provide a local touch at key destinations across the U.S., combined with the passion displayed by my team to support our clients' missions, translates directly to the financial performance of the operator through a decrease in aircraft downtime.”

The announcement comes as Gama has committed to a further $10 million investment into its coast-to-coast service U.S. network, which will add more line, base, and heavy maintenance capabilities during the second half of the year.