Cambridge Airport has boosted its chances of winning major business for next year’s Olympic Games in London through its partnership with Swiss-headquartered ExecuJet.

ExecuJet was a major transport player for soccer’s World Cup in South Africa and bids to use this experience to help Marshall clinch golden business from the London Games.

ExecuJet Europe was awarded the UK airport’s hotly-contested tender to manage the airport’s FBO (Fixed Base Operation) business from January 1. Cambridge will be ExecuJet’s ninth European FBO and its first full service FBO in the UK. The deal was unveiled at NBAA in Las Vegas.

Cambridge is one of only five regional airports in the UK capable of accepting business and passenger services with a 24/7 slot allocation during the Olympics.

Business aviation at Cambridge Airport has grown significantly over the last year with movements year on year up by 15 per cent and fuel sales up by 37 per cent, as international operators and brokers increasingly recognise the convenience and importance of the airport.

ExecuJet’s arrival will bring both a strong brand and extensive worldwide network to the airport, and management will be able to call on its immense experience next summer.

Archie Garden, director of Cambridge Airport said: “ExecuJet was selected for many reasons. Essentially, their strong values mirror those of the Marshall Group and the innovation, and significant level of executive engagement they demonstrated as part of our ambitious tendering timescale earned them the selection.

“Combined with the fine management team we have developed over the past six months, we are truly excited for the future prospects of business aviation here and believe we have a winning team.”

Cedric Migeon, managing director of ExecuJet Europe: “We see this step as an integral part of expanding our UK presence. Cambridge provides an excellent access point to the extensive local industrial, technological and business communities.

“It is also an excellent alternative destination for London-based traffic, especially for travellers to and from the US as the airport location lies directly on the flight path that avoids London’s busy airspace. The facility also offers generous hangar space which is extremely scarce throughout the London region.”

Cambridge Airport’s newly built state-of-the-art FBO was opened 24 months ago and includes executive passenger lounges, boardroom facilities and dedicated crew facilities. Private airside vehicle access for executive cars facilitates easy access to business jets and helicopter charters.

“The Marshall Business Aviation team will be migrated to the ExecuJet team,” said Archie Garden. “They will work with an experienced, well trained, international FBO team, who can share their knowledge and support FBO business expansion.”

• PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS: Archie Garden