Gill Airways

[xtypeman]

Just seen on CAA web site Official record 2 that Gill Airways has applied for a Type A Licence. Anybody have any ideas. The address given is in Birmingham.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/213/1916.pdf

[crewmeal]

Again???? Weren't they flying sheds between NCL and BHX? I remember buying some of their bankrupt stock for the Company I was working for at the time

[transwede]

They had their issues when operating, but overall a good little airline and it was nice to see one based in the North East. Afterall their network was fairly wide, with contracts with Air France flying jets into Europe, as well as their network of regional scheduled flights and charters. Know a few people who'd love to see Gill back!!!;)

[Leofric]

Gill Airways were a significant regional airline based at Newcastle in the 80s and 90s but I doubt these people have any connection with that.

[niknak]

This Gill Aviation has was incorporated on 20-05-2008, their Incorporation documents - (16 pages),along with annual returns, names of directors etc are available online for the princely sum of £18.

Can't say that I am that interested.

[Cyrano]

I note that the application (or perhaps the CAA transcription) misspells the address "140 Hollyhead Road, Handsworth"... and that 140 Holyhead Road is (ominously) the address of the local Jobcentre (http://www.jobcentreguide.co.uk/offices/4-birmingham.html) :hmm: (and hopefully other offices too...)

[remoak]

Why resurrect the name if there is no connection between the old Gill and the new one? it is hardly a name that you would otherwise use.

If I recall correctly, Gill were a profitable airline that got killed off by nervous banks about the time of one of the Gulf Wars. There were operating Fokker 100s, ATRs and Sheds. Used to hang out with Gill crews in a Ponteland pub when I was working out of NCL... nice bunch.

[groundedforgood]

I don't think that it's a resurrection of the original. Just step back and think about it. Gill is a Sikh name, there are many Sikhs in the Handsworth, Birmingham area (The largest Sikh Temple in Europe is just down the same road from that address). There is an Asian travel agency virtually next 140 Holyhead Road. Put two and two together and you have an airline named after a person called Gill. Simple ain't it.
Mind you, thinking about it, wasn't the original address of Air Sylhet or one of the other duff starts in that immediate area of Holyhead Road?

[JKKne]

I recall correctly, Gill were a profitable airline that got killed off by nervous banks about the time of one of the Gulf Wars. There were operating Fokker 100s, ATRs and Sheds.


Gill were killed off by those careful, well planned and profitable folks at erm...RBS :ugh: in the crisis after 9/11, they simply withdrew funding

I used to love flying the Shorts!

[luvly jubbly]

Think the original Mike Gill is still in Florida..... Maybe he's making a return!

Also there are some ex_Gill management at a loose end right now! ;)

Think it was the Bank of Scotland (Now Lloyds/HBOS), not RBS that pulled the rug in 2001

LJ

[remoak]

Gill is a Sikh name

It isn't only a Sikh name, as the original principal of Gill Airways will tell you... it is actually the name of a clan from the Punjab, and can be found amongst both Sikh and Muslim people (and good old Anglo-Saxons too).

The choice of "Airways" in the name is also curious, exactly the same as the Newcastle outfit. Why not choose "airlines" or "aviation" or something different?

Maybe a coincidence... maybe not.

[Centre cities]

A Bae 146 has been registered to this address G-RAJJ. Perhaps I'm wrong but that sounds a little Indian to me.

A company search comes back as Gill Executive Jets.

Centre cities

[Centre cities]

From one of the travel papers the aircraft has been aquired for company shuttles to be based in the midlands area with 46 seats. The company, Gill, specialise in large airfield and motorway construction projects.

The article states to be based in the midlands area.

Seems to belong in the Exec section.


Centre cities

[Tiger_ Moth]

I understood that Gill Airways was Mike Gill's.

I think he lives in Australia now. He did my CPL test in NZ in 2008 and he's a gentleman.

[BALLSOUT]

Gill Aviation. In the 1960's, Mike Gill came to Newcastle to be CFI of the Newcastle Aero Club after previously flying in the RAF. In the early 1970's he started an air taxi business called Gill Aviation. By the late 1980's the busines was in decline and it was sold to local businesman, Tim Jobling Pursar. He built the small air taxi outfit into a small airline carying passengers and freight on shorts 330's. The business again was struggling and was sold to the owners of Fair Flight of Biggin Hill, they were the owners of most of the aircraft. They built the business up over the next few years and introduced Shorts 360's and the ATR fleet. The business was sold again in the mid 1990's for a tidy profit to an investment group who built up the airline even further. Within a couple of years there was accusations of mis accounting etc and the investment houses steped in and removed the board. The company was run by the investment group for a few more years in which time the jet fleet (F100's) was introduced. Around 2000, the company went into administration, this lasted for about 18 months before emerging from this via a management buy out. The company seemed to be on the road to recovery when the twin towers incident of Sep 11th frightened the companies bankers into withdrawing their backing. The company went into liquidation on Sep 21 2001.

[dontdoit]

The reg refers to Mr Raj Gill, the owner of the group of companies and a very nice man, I'm told. Believe it is for a shuttle-type operation.

[horsebox]

I've heard there are a couple of 146 rated ex flightline crew, who have just left eastern at aberdeen to go and fly this beastie...

[latedownwind]

Gill is now branded as Cello Aviation - based BHX
Avro ABJ arrives from Southend Refurb Mid April.
Business aviation and corporate commuter strategy.

[fjencl]

is there a web site for cello aviation ?????

[K.Whyjelly]

is there a web site for cello aviation ?????

Not yet, but there will be.................................




Meanwhile the website creation is nearing completion.

Visit http://www.flycello.com/ from 24March

[Winniebago]

Guys you've got this all wrong - its a new very nice VVIP configured BAe 146 operation based out of BHX owned by a businessman in the construction industry but available for charter in due course.

[Gill10357]

It is correct that the Gill airline had gone bankrupt however my uncle took over the company renaming it Cello. I am proud to say that I am his niece and if there are any problems that you have with the new owner well its tough! Cos he is my uncle and is the greatest of them all and this airline will not go bankrupt!

[BALLSOUT]

New company nothing to do with the origional Gill Airways (Gill Aviation LTD)
The only thing they have in comon is the name "GILL" and they are no longer even using this anymore by the looks of it.

[latedownwind]

google 'cello aviation blog'

A slightly irreverent look at cello's pre launch preparations

[fisicx]

CofA issued today so the aircraft should be leaving Southend soon. Where it will go only Cello know but it's been an interesting few months getting the aircraft together.

Ir's still very shiny and as the blog says, still smells of new leather.

[dead_pan]

Does anyone know if they have any plans to expand their fleet?

[Captain Caveman]

Cello Aviation was awarded its AOC and Type A OL on Friday afternoon by the UK CAA.

Well done and best of luck to all involved! :}

[panda-k-bear]

Cos he is my uncle and is the greatest of them all and this airline will not go bankrupt!

And you'll thcweam and thcweam and thcweam until you're thick. :}

[niknak]

Quote from their website:
We carry many different types of client, such as:

Blue Chip Companies
Football Teams
Motor Racing Teams
Horse Racing Clients
High Profile Personalities
Entertainment Performers
Wedding Parties
Conference & Incentive Groups

A bit naughty as they've only been officially on the go since 12th July and their only advertised charter to date was taking 40 hacks to Germany.

Never mind, good luck to all concerned.:ok:

[dead_pan]

They may have missed a trick by not opting for a more flexible fit - they could do so much more with 70+ seats if they weren't so fussy about who they flew.

Still, early days yet. Go Cello!

[MidlandDeltic]

Well they have contacts somewhere - they've just done a VERY high profile trip to Baldonnel!

[crackling jet]

the news clip on TV last night showed the queen arriving in the Rep of Ireland and she arrived in a smart looking Cello 146

[JSCL]

Queen has her own RAF RJ's - doubt she used a Cello one...

[maliyahsdad2]

Queen has her own RAF RJ's - doubt she used a Cello one...
http://www.hellomagazine.com/imagenes/royalty/201105175431/queen-visits-ireland/0-19-517/queen-ireland-02--a.jpg

(http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2011/may/17/queen-dublin-visit-ireland-video)

[JSCL]

Genuinely surprised at that.

[pabely]

Maybe outsourcing saves a bit of money, anyhow good luck to cello....

[Skipness One Echo]

Queen has her own RAF RJ's - doubt she used a Cello one...

Not RJs, BAe146-200s modified to military spec as BAe146-CC2s. Three ordered, one since sold, remainder operated by 32 (The Royal) Sq

[virginblue]

Maybe a nicely refurbished Cello 146 gives a better travel experience than a knackered RAF 146?

The ABJ can be fitted with over 80 seats, but Cello has outfitted the aircraft in a luxury configuration using just 46 seats for your enjoyment, plus there's plenty of room for kit in the hold!

[Yak97]

Perhaps being sensitive to Irish opinion? The RAF 146 are possibly perceived as being a "military" aircraft?

http://www.raf.mod.uk/downloads/wallpapers/bae/bae146-125_01_0800.jpg

Against the more "vanilla" Cello aircraft?

http://static.planespotters.net/photo/178000/thumbnail/PlanespottersNet_178200.jpg (http://www.planespotters.net/Aviation_Photos/photo.show?id=178200)

[20feetretard]

Anyone have any idea about how they are doing? I saw them in Poland recently and thought how smart the ABJ looked. Are they likely to expand at all?

[LVL_CHG]

Sales have doubled from this time last year and they are in the process and buying a new aircraft making a total of 2 aircraft.

[BAladdy]

Just had a look at there website. Looks as if another aircraft has already been added but this one is not in the all business class configuration that G-RAJJ is.

They are advertising on there home page that they have a RJ85 available for medium to long term ACMI lease in a 98Y configuration. Anyone know were the aircraft has come from?

Cello Aviation: Corporate Jet Charter & Private Jet Hire (http://www.flycello.com/index.php)

[Laasjet]

I believe that it is coming from the stock of RJ's stored at Kemble.

[LGS6753]

...they have certainly carried out a fair number of flights from Luton with RAJJ.

PS why is this thread called "Gill Airways" not "Cello Aviation"?:confused:

[Barling Magna]

See Post number 18 on page 1.....

[Laasjet]

JJ has been used by football teams and even the British Monarch on one occasion.

It is believed that they are looking for more footy business although I would guess that it will be difficult given the likes of Eastern Airways.

[Laasjet]

I forgot to mention that they have picked up business doing the odd sub for Flybe thereby extending their client range.

Passengers must have been impressed.

[flaps18whine]

Their website feed mentions that they have just recruited cabin crew and pilots with a suggestion that they may do so again next year. I wrote to them speculatively a few months ago but didn't hear anything. My RJ rating expired years ago! Does anyone know the profile of the pilots that they took this time (type rated and x hours etc) and whether the same will apply next year?