In our Perspectives series, Business Air News discusses private aviation experiences with industry professionals. This month we hear from Keith McKay, operations manager for Woodgate Aviation in Northern Ireland. The company is gearing up for an exceptionally busy summer where it will host golf enthusiasts travelling to The Open at Royal Portrush. As Keith explains, preparations have been under way for months...

“The big topic for us this year is the British Open golf coming to Portrush in June. We are billing ourselves as the business aviation gateway to Northern Ireland through our VIP FBO handling services and helicopter shuttles. As many will be aware, the Open is a high profile global sporting event associated with private jets. Although the core part of our business is air ambulance, aircraft management, charter and maintenance, our FBO and handling services are ever-expanding and important parts of our enterprise.

“As well as managing a privately operated Learjet 45, we have just taken delivery of a Cessna Citation 525 M2 at our Isle of Man hangar and will operate it on behalf of a Douglas-based company. We are grateful to our fuel provider Avfuel, which is assisting us with promoting our FBO through a extensive marketing campaign in industry publications and via its social media platforms. We have also announced a team-up with PDG Aviation to offer helicopter shuttles to Royal Portrush. This is sure to be an appealing option, as we would expect this Open Championship to be extremely busy; indeed it has been the quickest to sell out to date and the organisers had to release more tickets to meet demand.

“Although there is rail and road access to the course, a helicopter is a faster option. The 30-minute flight from our private departure terminal and FBO facility at Belfast International airport gets you right to the course rather than to a sterile zone where you would have to walk or take courtesy transport to and from the course. 
“We have also recently secured the ground handling contract for a fractional ownership operator at Belfast International airport, which ties in nicely with the golf theme. We expect a lot of its members or owners to utilise the helicopter shuttle. This golf theme is continued with our sponsorship of Challenge Tour professional golfer Jonny Caldwell.
“We have planned ahead and recruited more staff to accommodate the expected demand. Our facility is the largest FBO at the airport, and is the only one to offer hangarage for guest aircraft. It includes a modern, 25-seat private departure terminal with the benefit of being located on a demarcated ramp. Such a location offers a more streamlined experience, helping charter operators or private jet owners avoid a long security screening process, provided that their aircraft meet certain criteria. Airside chauffeur pickups can also be accommodated. With all our efforts, we feel we are really making the most of what The Open Golf Championship should deliver to Northern Ireland, by offering a warm, welcoming customer experience that we hope with secure return business in the future.

“The wider reality is that the legacy of The Open is important to Northern Ireland, given that tourism is a huge part of our local economy. We have some of the finest courses in Ireland and the UK: testing, challenging, different and rewarding, depending on your golf handicap and ability. The Open will give a further boost to our courses, making them a must-play for golf enthusiasts from all over the world. And to get here, they will want a hassle-free and comfortable mode of transport, invariably provided by private jets.

“In addition to golf tourism, people will be interested to know that Northern Ireland also boasts the location for much of the filming for Game of Thrones, some Hollywood movies and several high profile television series including Derry Girls and Line of Duty.”