Lloyd Executive Aviation is the new kid on the block at Manchester Airport, having set up shop on May 1. The company will provide handling competition for Northern Executive Aviation (the only other dedicated handler there), and has already enjoyed custom from the likes of Global Jet Concept, Twinjet, Daimler Chrysler and TAG Aviation – with whom it now has a contract.

Lloyd Exec was set up by md Simon Lloyd, who has been involved in aviation – predominantly in Manchester – for 28 years. He told EBAN: “My interest was sparked 12 months ago when I noticed a bit of a niche in the handling situation here. The airline handling agents don’t appear interested in general aviation; they seem to see it as something that is not really their mainstream business but will reluctantly take

it on.

“The existing executive handling company here, Northern Executive Aviation (NEA), do a very good job but I’ve noticed occasional ‘dark spots’ when NEA aren’t around and aircraft have been forced to go to the big handling agents.”

In light of this observation, Lloyd says he made a lot of phone calls and was told by some operators that they would welcome an alternative handling agent.

He said: “I was also encouraged by the airport, so we struck up a relationship with a couple of air taxi operators and in the run-up to the Champions League Final on May 28, we were contacted by TAG Aviation and we handled their aircraft.

“The following day, we had Bruce Springsteen in with Twinjet’s 319 as he was playing a gig in Manchester as part of his world tour.”

In response to talk of ‘dark spots,’ NEA’s md David Antrobus told EBAN: “I would say that we are unavailable probably two or three times a year. Only in exceptional circumstances might we miss some business – we don’t turn people down. We’re talking about a market which isn’t huge; maybe ten movements a day on average.”

Simon Lloyd says it’s been a baptism of fire since Lloyd Exec’s inauguration on May 1, particularly with regard to the day of the Champions League final between AC Milan and Juventus.

He said: “The airport probably had one of the busiest days in its life, in terms of general aviation and business jets. From the BBJ downwards, there were business aircraft everywhere. In 28 years, it was probably one of the most inspiring sights I’ve ever seen at the airport. And to be fair, the airport coped with it exceptionally well.”

Antrobus added: “I agree. It was a remarkable day and we handled just short of 60 aircraft.”

While NEA has its own purpose-built terminal at Manchester airport, Lloyd Exec currently has no

such facility.

Lloyd said: “We don’t have any facilities like that because we see it as the type of business where a passenger wants to arrive, get on his aircraft and go.

“If there is a requirement for executive lounges, in the event of a delay or a technical hitch for example, we have use of any of the airport lounges and any of the mainstream handling agent lounges. I have negotiated total privacy in these lounges.”

Antrobus countered: “One of the purposes of a GA terminal, such as ours, is to separate the passengers from the commercial world and put them through a very fast track service.

“I’ve invested a lot of money in this building for the handling service only; it is designed to promote a speedy service and to enable customers to have privacy from prying eyes.”

In terms of Lloyd Exec’s expansion plans, Simon Lloyd says they are not going to run before they can walk. He said: “We’ve been on a marketing drive, which has been very positive, and we are hoping to sign up a big operator in the near future – but we have no intention of expanding to other airports.

“We’re dedicated to Manchester because we know it inside out, and this is what we can offer operators.”

With respect to the competition from NEA, Lloyd concluded: “I’ve spoken to David Antrobus and he said he was looking forward to the battle. That’s exactly the way I look at it.”

Antrobus added: “I am indeed ready for the battle and I will try to keep every customer I can, through hard work and good service.”