OmniServ, the UK’s leading airline and airport assistance services provider, has bought Gatwick-based OFJ Connections and OFJ Airlinks, sister companies which provide bus and coach transport for air passengers and airline crew.
OFJ has contracts with Gatwick’s airport operator, major airlines and other partners covering terminal transfer services, crew and passenger coach movements, Car Park shuttle bus contracts and associated third party operations. OFJ also has operations at London City Airport.
Ernie Patterson, Chairman of OmniServ, says: “As part of our strategy to develop and expand our services at Gatwick Airport, I am pleased to announce that OmniServ has acquired the entire share capital of OFJ Connections Ltd and OFJ Airlinks Ltd, effective 1st December 2016.”
Patterson adds: “This transaction builds on our existing UK Aviation Bus activities whilst increasing our breadth of services at Gatwick Airport, where we now employ some 700 people across our Blackjack Promotions, Red Handling and Airport (SEGS) operations.”
The existing management team at OFJ will report in to Ian Mitchell, OmniServ Head of Ground Transportation and a member of the OmniServ Executive Leadership Team.
OmniServ already provides services across a range of customer-facing contracts at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Edinburgh and Liverpool Airports. OmniServ staff act as ‘ambassadors’ who answer customer questions, provide directions and manage passenger flow around the terminals; VIP hosts; drivers for inter-terminal buses; and specialists who provide assistance where needed for passengers with mobility issues or other challenges (PRM) or unaccompanied minors.
Additionally, OmniServ’s subsidiary, Blackjack Promotions, provides staff for retailers and consumer-facing brands running marketing campaigns in public areas and retail spaces.
Originally posted Airline Ground Services 14 December 2016