The UK Civil Aviation Authority issued an update on 26th November 2013 which stated “The Type B Operating Licence held by PremiAir Aviation Services Limited has been suspended with effect from 12 November 2013“.  The actual document was “Official Record Series 2, Number 2110“.

The CAA grants two types of Operating Licence, Type A and Type B, the former being for larger operators and the latter for minor operators.  “Minor operators” are mainly those which operate (or lease in) aircraft having less than 20 seats:  these operators are specially recognised by Article 5 of the Licensing Regulation, which permits a simplified entry procedure for them.  The CAA system allows additionally that in some instances operators of larger aircraft with a limited scope of activity (for example, air taxi work) may also be granted a Type B licence, though the Licensing Regulation does not allow the simplified entry procedure to be used for them.  After grant, the difference between the two types is that a Type B licence restricts the size of aircraft that may be used or the type of activity, but it carries fewer obligations in respect of financial information, statistics and charges.

This is the latest stage in the demise of PremiAir.  In recent years we have seen a dramatic fall from its past – at one time it regularly flew at least six Sikorsky S76s and three Eurocopter AS355 Twin Squirrels.  The previous owner Andrew Davies was forced to sell up after owing his lenders significant amounts of money following the failure of his Von Essen Hotels company.  After some months of uncertainty, the company was bought by Graham Avery – now company Chairman

At Helitech 2013, Mr Avery gave a less-than-convincing presentation with his launch of “the new West London Heliport”, which most present thought was little more than a rebranding exercise of existing facilities at Blackbushe Airport, which is some 35 miles south-west of the centre of London.  He also confidently told the audience of the acquisition of “at least one or two helicopters” to boost charter operations, but that is clearly some distance further away now they no longer have an operating licence.

Ben Haverdee – HeliHub.com