UK-based executive charter and aircraft management group Ocean Sky (Stand No. 632) is here promoting its newly upgraded FBO at Scotland’s Glasgow Prestwick International Airport as a convenient technical stop for transatlantic flights. What the company is promising is an efficient refueling operation and comfortable, convenient amenities for passengers and crew. The airport is open around the clock and has no slot requirements.

Ocean Sky has made a significant investment in upgrading the FBO to the most stringent security requirements. One benefit of this is that the building is considered completely airside so that its customers do not have to complete immigration and customs procedures if they are only transiting. At other locations, passengers and crew would have to remain on board the aircraft, but instead they can enjoy all the amenities of a lounge that features equipment such as video conferencing.

The lounge can comfortably accommodate up to 30 people at a time. The Ocean Sky base is completely separate from the main terminal at Prestwick–less than 30 miles south of Glasgow– and it offers ample ramp space for parking aircraft and a large adjoining hangar that can take a Boeing 747 widebody.

According to Eddie Allison, managing director of the Ocean Sky FBO, a stop in Prestwick will save at least 100 miles of flying compared with alternatives such as Shannon on the west coast of Ireland. The company offers very competitive handling fees to attract traffic and also sells fuel directly. It aims to complete refueling and other transit services for a large cabin business jet like a Gulfstream G550 in just 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Ocean Sky is continuing to achieve impressive growth in its executive charter operations, with the strongest demand being for its midsize and large jets. Revenues have increased by about 22 percent over the past 12 months, with flying activity up between 15 and 20 percent.