M E E T T H E M A N A G E R
BUSINESS AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL GETS
TO KNOW THE COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
OF UK FBO GLOBAL TREK AVIATION
What was your career path to your current role?
I have always had a real passion for aviation and have
had various aviation roles throughout my aviation career.
My business aviation career started when I was a flight
supervisor at Scotland’s busiest FBO, before being
promoted to group commercial manager based in London
Luton for a network of FBOs across the UK and Europe.
In this role, I was responsible for growing the business
at the flagship London jet centre from 7 to 25% of the
market share. After this, I was a senior account executive
for a global FBO chain, before grabbing the exciting
opportunity to work with Global Trek Aviation as group
commercial director.
When I heard that my former colleague was putting
together a team to form Global Trek Aviation, I jumped at
the opportunity as I knew with the dedicated and ambitious
team being put together, the future was exciting and bright.
I’ve enjoyed every aspect of my career path and I’m
grateful for the valuable experience I have gained by
working from the ground up, learning what corporate jet
clients need and expect.
What are the best and worst elements of your job?
The best element of my job has to be receiving positive
feedback from clients and arranging the seemingly
impossible for them against the odds. I do not have the
16 | BU S INE S S A I R P O RT INT E RNAT I ONA L O C TO B E R 2 0 1 9
word ‘no’ in my vocabulary and the
best part of the job is seeing the
customer satisfaction we create and
building strong relationships. Most
people in the industry may comment on
the long unsociable hours as the worst
part of the job, but I have always felt this is
a happy trade for the satisfaction in working in
such a vibrant and dynamic industry.
How do you try and stand out from your
closest competitors?
Many FBOs claim to be the best or offer the best. I joined
Global Trek Aviation because of the leadership, the people
and the ethos of the organization. This together with
outstanding facilities, service levels and attention to detail
makes an FBO great.
Our jet centre at Belfast International has become the
most successful in terms of client feedback and traffic
levels in Northern Ireland. We have won many awards over
the years and the level of repeat custom is evident that we
are doing something right. Investing in our new Cardiff Jet
Centre brings an unrivalled level of service and facilities for
corporate jet clients at this location.
We try to stand out from our competitors in every
area from the level of safety and training, to the customer
service and VIP facility experience.
What is your dream holiday destination, if money
were no object?
My dream holiday destination is wherever there is an air
show on.
What is the biggest trend currently affecting the
business aviation sector?
I am finding that fuel costs and various commercial airport
restrictions on corporate and general aviation is affecting
the business aviation sector.
What does the future hold for Global Trek
Aviation?
Global Trek Aviation is an ambitious organization, so watch
this space.
Colin Gordon
“The best element
of my job is arranging
the seemingly
impossible for clients
against the odds”