Up & Away Aviation / Unifi Aviation UK opens at London’s Gatwick Airport

Up & Away Aviation, a leading supplier of aircraft cleaning and detailing services to commercial airline and private aviation clients, opens its 13th base at London’s Gatwick Airport today, Aug. 1. It is the first under its newly ratified Unifi LLC ownership. 

Supporting one of Europe’s largest charter airlines and its B737 and B787 aircraft, Up & Away recruited 68, mostly West Sussex-based employees for the start of its commercial operation covering several roles from station manager and duty managers to allocators, bowser driver and cleaning agents. They will be led by newly appointed Base Manager Marcus Barker, cleaning departing aircraft from Gatwick’s North and South Terminal.

“I’d like to thank Marcus, who joins us from Menzies Aviation, alongside Andy Cruise and Craig Cooper from C Squared Aviation Solutions, a newly formed consultancy, who were drafted in to build our base from scratch whilst we focused on delivering our normal summer operations,” said Stefan Murphy, managing director of Up & Away Aviation and Unifi UK. “They have done a great job helping us identify the best workforce and expedited new airside passes quickly and efficiently. We are very proud to have created nearly 70 new jobs at the UK’s second largest airport,” he added.

Up & Away will recruit an additional 150 more staff and add more airside vehicles in the likelihood it will add more airline customers at Gatwick, bolstering its total workforce to nearly 700 employees.

Its new owner, Unifi, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, offers a wide range of ground services to domestic and international airlines, from ticketing and ground handling to cabin cleaning, cargo, security services, wheelchair assistance, and more.

Unifi acquired Up & Away last month, declaring the acquisition a perfect fit as it looks to grow its UK business to more than £100 million in the region over the next three years.  The business is aiming to replicate its success in the US, where it is present at more than 200 airports, providing customers with exceptional service.

Argenbright Group employs more than 5,000 employees in the UK.  The acquisition of Up & Away Aviation further strengthens Argenbright’s investment in the UK and its people and is part of its strategic commitment to the region.