Gama Group, headquartered at Farnborough, is planning to establish its next base in Hong Kong, and is also evaluating locations in South America.

Chief executive Marwan Khalek says: "We are building the foundations now with a view to getting established in Hong Kong in the first half of 2012." This will be the company's fourth continental/regional base complementing operations in Europe, North America and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Gama has entered into an exclusive partnership with loyalty programme Asia Miles to provide business jet services to its 4.1 million members worldwide. Asia Miles members can earn miles when chartering aircraft from Gama's global fleet and network to connect with airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Dragonair. 

Gama's efforts to extend its reach and operations into the South American market continue to gather pace with the addition of further aircraft bringing the total managed fleet in the region to six aircraft. These contracts are supported from Gama's US operation while the company continues to evaluate the best regional base and partnership.

Closer to home, Gama also struck a significant investment last month with completion of the purchase of the trade and assets of Mann Aviation Group Engineering, a specialist in MRO modification and support services for a wide range of helicopters serving civil and military use, plus a number of regional aircraft types.

That company's EASA/FAR 145 operations and Part 21 J & G design and production expertise are being integrated into newly-branded Gama Engineering, formerly Lees Avionics.

Gama Engineering has moved its premises from High Wycombe to take up premises at Fairoaks airport and has pledged a sizeable investment to restore its three hangars and establish a burgeoning centre for general aviation, complementing the group's main Farnborough base.