TAG Farnborough Airport has become the first FBO in the UK to pass the IS-BAH Stage 2 audit, and the second in Europe after Sky Valet in Cannes. Stage 2 evaluates whether an FBO's safety management systems are robust and mature.

“IS-BAH is really important from a FBO standpoint, because it is a credible standard that has been formulated by the industry,” says CEO Brandon O'Reilly. “IS-BAH Stage 1 was so successful for us because it meant that operators decided that they didn't need to come and audit us all the time. If you have got IS-BAH then you don't need any other audit because you are obviously operating to a high standard.

“There will be a Stage 3 at some point I'm sure, and all of them serve a very important purpose.

Our view on these things is to always undertake them as early as possible. That way, our customers benefit sooner. IS-BAH is very international and all-encompassing, very relevant to what we do, and in turn it is relevant to the operators. We think it is a great standard and we are very pleased with how it has been implemented. It is uncompromising and vigorous.”

Treating crews well is another priority for TAG Farnborough. The facility now has two snooze rooms, two flight planning/rest areas, and a crew gymnasium in the fishtail of the hangar, as part of a terminal re-development completed in January 2016. “This has become very popular because crews have time on their hands and they need to stay fit in order to maintain their licence,” adds O'Reilly. “It is decked out in a comprehensive manner.

“We also have our onsite hotel Aviator. We are trialling a new service for crew staying there by giving them their key card for their room at the aircraft. They are then driven straight to the hotel. It progresses us towards becoming a one-stop-shop. Everything we do has been influenced by the feedback that crews have given us.”

A fast-track entrance is available to crew and passengers only, including an interactive terminal where the passenger number is inputted. “Our airport is about ensuring that nothing stands in your way. The answer to everything is yes,” O'Reilly concludes.