AIRCRAFT FAMILY BIGGIN HILL AIRPORT
ANDREW AND ROBERT WALTERS
‘Biggin Hill has been in my blood since the age of 22’
After winning fame as an RAF Battle of Britain fighter station, London Biggin Hill Airport is securing its place in business aviation with the opening of a new luxury hotel. We profile the Walters family, who own the airport business. Words: Mike Stones
Andrew and Robert Walters have aviation in their blood: Father and son embrace beneath the spinner of a Second World War Spitfire.
AIRCRAFT FAMILY BIGGIN HILL AIRPORT
ANDREW AND ROBERT WALTERS
‘Biggin Hill has been in my blood since the age of 22’
After winning fame as an RAF Battle of Britain fighter station, London Biggin Hill Airport is securing its place in business aviation with the opening of a new luxury hotel. We profile the Walters family, who own the airport business. Words: Mike Stones
Andrew and Robert Walters have aviation in their blood: Father and son embrace beneath the spinner of a Second World War Spitfire.
A PLUSH NEW hotel opened earlier this year at the entrance to London Biggin Hill Airport. Surrounded by pictures of fighter planes and business jets, I’m sitting in the bar of The Landing Hotel at the airport. With me are Andrew Walters, chairman, London Biggin Hill Airport and son Robert, its commercial director. Together they introduced me to the business.
Located 11 miles south-east of central London, the Walters family acquired a 125-year lease for London Biggin Hill Airport in May 1994 from the London Borough of Bromley. Since then, the family has focused on developing the airport into a leading centre for business aviation. Over the past decade, upwards of £100m in private investment has been poured into the airport’s facilities. The fruits of that investment are upgraded infrastructure and a host of new hangars including the expanded 250,000sqft Bombardier Customer Service Facility, which opened last June. This can accommodate simultaneously up to 14 ultra-long-range Global 7500s.
More than 70 companies have a home at the airfield. The Walters have prioritised serving not just high net worth business and private travellers but also attracting tenants capable of offering aviation-related third-party services. In addition to the anchor resident Bombardier, Biggin Hill-based businesses include: fixed-base operator Jetex; charter and management company Zenith; Pilatus and Tecnam Aircraft distributor and service centre Oriens Aviation; completions firm JetMS, helicopter operator and maintenance provider Castle Air plus many others. Together, the airport’s businesses employ a total of 1,400 people on site. The plan is to hit a target of generating 3,300 jobs by 2035.
For Andrew, Biggin Hill has proved three times lucky in his career. His first visit to ‘Biggin on the Bump’, at the age of 22, was to the military Aircrew Selection Centre. Passing the selection procedure led to a career in the British Army – including four years piloting an army Bell 47 Sioux light helicopter serving in Malaysia.
The second lucky break at Biggin Hill came after he left the army to set up a global freight business – International Air Messengers – IML, where the airport supported his early customers such as the BBC. A number of years and successful aviation business ventures later, the third lucky break came when Andrew acquired London Biggin Hill Airport from Bromley Council at the second attempt. “So, Biggin Hill has given me three lucky breaks in my career,” he tells Corporate Jet Investor (CJI). “Biggin Hill has been in my blood since the age of 22.”
London Biggin Hill was not Andrew’s first airport business. In 1990 he formed Regional Airports Ltd and, together with his team, turned Southend Airport into a successful business. After selling that airport to the Stobart Group in 2008, he focused on establishing Biggin Hill Airport as a modern facility serving the international aviation business industry.
Robert joined the family business in the early 2000s, successfully setting up the RAF Northolt FBO business as his first job in aviation. Arriving back from Northolt in 2006, Robert was appointed business development manager, and later welcomed to the board of directors in 2013. Robert later became commercial director, responsible for growing all areas of the airport’s business.
“We are established as an air bridge with Teterboro Airport, creating the fastest and most efficient way to travel between New York and London.”
Touching down at Biggin on the Bump. A Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft lands at London Biggin Hill Airport.
“We are established as an air bridge with Teterboro Airport, creating the fastest and most efficient way to travel between New York and London.”
Touching down at Biggin on the Bump. A Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft lands at London Biggin Hill Airport.
The next generation of business aircraft technicians gains hands on experience at Biggin Hill.
Biggin Hill saw 12,860 business jet departures last year compared with 7,664 in 2021.
Nearly 30 years after closing the acquisition, London Biggin Hill Airport has grown into a leading hub for business aviation. For an independent assessment of the airport’s performance, I turned to aviation consultancy WINGX. Last year London Biggin Hill saw 12,860 business jet departures compared with 7,664 in 2021 and 6,894 in 2019. For Richard Koe, MD, WINGX, Biggin Hill airport has emerged over the past 10 years as a leading airport for business aviation in London. “Partly this reflects the importance of London as Europe´s most important hub for business jet activity, with twice the movements of nearest rival Paris,” he tells CJI. It’s a position the airport retains despite both Brexit and the global pandemic.
In fact, Covid was a key factor that helped to accelerate the airport’s growth. “It was also notable during the early stages of the pandemic that Biggin benefited from staying fully operational, whilst other London airports reduced or closed services,” says Koe. “At various stages of the pandemic, Biggin ranked as the busiest London airport, and it now rivals Luton as the secondary hub to Farnborough for the entire London region. Since 2020 Biggin has ranked well within the top 10 airports in Europe for business jet activity.”
Robert agrees: the determination to keep London Biggin Hill in operation throughout the pandemic helped to boost its growth. The airport won new clients who always had the means to fly privately but were prompted to enter the market by failing airline schedules and the Covid security of private jet travel, he argues. Those who came to London Biggin Hill during the pandemic stayed after travel restrictions began to be lifted.
What attracts clients to Biggin Hill – given that other business airports near the capital are readily available, I ask. “Biggin Hill is the only dedicated business-aviation airport that sits within the M25 [orbital motorway], London’s unofficial border,” explains Robert. “We are a designated UK Port of Entry, have no runway slots and operate extended hours with competitive fees,” he adds.
Andrew also highlights ties with New York’s Teterboro business airport. “We are established as an air bridge with Teterboro Airport, creating the fastest and most efficient way to travel between New York and London,” he says. The London Heli Shuttle – equipped with a fleet of 10 helicopters, including an AW139 – whisks passengers to London Heliport within six minutes.
Another attraction of the airport is the LoCATE strategy, standing for London Centre for Aviation, Technology and Enterprise, say the Walters family. “We have created a centre for excellence for aviation business, particularly in the maintenance, repair and overhaul [MRO] sector,” says Robert. “London Biggin Hill is more than an airport, it is a thriving business complex that provides an ecosystem of varied and innovative aerospace businesses.”
Always looking for reasons to welcome people to Biggin Hill, in partnership with the Air Charter Association (ACA) and European Business Aviation Network (EBAN), the Air Charter Expo has become a leading event for UK and European charter brokers and operators. The show now attracts more than 20 aircraft and over 100 stands.
“You probably never stop thinking about it because there are so many different facets to this business – so many moving parts.”
Bombardier goes big at Biggin: The manufacturer opened its expanded 250,000sqft Bombardier Customer Service Facility at the airport last June. The new hangar can accommodate up to 14 ultra-long range Global 7500 aircraft at the same time.
“You probably never stop thinking about it because there are so many different facets to this business – so many moving parts.”
Bombardier goes big at Biggin: The manufacturer opened its expanded 250,000sqft Bombardier Customer Service Facility at the airport last June. The new hangar can accommodate up to 14 ultra-long range Global 7500 aircraft at the same time.
So, how do father and son divide their management responsibilities in running such a big business? Andrew explains: “As chairman, I'm invited to take part in big decisions. Robert, as commercial director, runs the commercial side of the whole enterprise and occasionally asks Dad for his thoughts. It seems to work very well.”
Robert acknowledges running a family business brings both benefits and challenges. “Working in the family business obviously has its challenges. It's different to working for someone else because you are both working ultimately towards the benefit of you and the wider family that you represent. There is an extra sense of purpose and pride in what we are doing. We're a family business and there are two of us here today but there are many more who sit behind us. They will also have a say sometimes.”
For Andrew, the other twin benefits of running a family business are short lines of communication and knowing each other’s values. The family also draws strength from an unexpected source – owning and managing a sheep farm in the South of England “We‘ve been running a farm throughout the course of the family’s life,” explains Andrew. “That means we have been making lots of commercial decisions and other value and interest decisions together. So, we certainly know how we all think – and that helps here.”
Robert picks up the theme of aviation and agriculture. “In agriculture, you learn the draw of the outdoors and creating something from nothing, which is, ironically, very similar to what this [airport] business is,” he says. “The difference in agriculture, is that it’s like starting a new business every year. But in this business, it's all about compound growth – the financial effects of incremental growth over time. And, developing patience.”
Andrew adds: “Having been involved in both businesses [agriculture and aviation] for many years, the lesson I would choose is patience.”
Robert highlights the importance of building teams with diverse skill sets. “Developing boards with complementary skill sets means everyone brings something different to the table,” he says. “It’s not only healthy, it’s highly constructive and productive for the business. That means we are asking all the right questions to each other and not disagreeing all the time.”
Appointing a strong board is really important, agrees Andrew. “I've always recognised that. And I’ve always ensured we have good, good executives. That links to one of my other key philosophies. What gets measured gets managed.”
Singled out for praise, in addition to whole team – is David Winstanley, CEO, London Biggin Hill Airport who is said to bring world class airport management skills to his role. Robert underlines the importance of building strong teams and Andrew adds: “As they say, always employ better people than yourself. Alongside David, we have some fantastic people who bring global experience, working for a number of multinationals.” Nigel Masson, chief financial officer and Bob Graham, operations director also received a mention.
But there must be some downsides to managing a business within the family? Robert identifies a potential danger, being a lack of restraint in talking to family members about business. There can be a temptation to share free and frank exchanges of views that might not happen in a non-family business. Andrew adds: “Robert illustrates how we've avoided the pitfalls of some family businesses, where there is not enough internal management discipline.”
Trans-Atlantic partnership: Andrew Walters (R) signs an air bridge deal with Teterboro Airport, New Jersey.
The centre of attention. The Air Charter Expo attracts more than 20 aircraft and includes over 100 stands at the one-day event.
A first for Bombardier. Prince Michael of Kent (R) opens the first Bombardier hangar at Biggin Hill on May 18th 2017. Joining him are (L to R) Andrew Walters and Jean-Christophe Gallagher, vice-president of Bombardier.
Appointing a strong board is really important, agrees Andrew. “I've always recognised that. And I’ve always ensured we have good, good executives. That links to one of my other key philosophies. What gets measured gets managed.”
Singled out for praise, in addition to whole team – is David Winstanley, CEO, London Biggin Hill Airport who is said to bring world class airport management skills to his role. Robert underlines the importance of building strong teams and Andrew adds: “As they say, always employ better people than yourself. Alongside David, we have some fantastic people who bring global experience, working for a number of multinationals.” Nigel Masson, chief financial officer and Bob Graham, operations director also received a mention.
But there must be some downsides to managing a business within the family? Robert identifies a potential danger, being a lack of restraint in talking to family members about business. There can be a temptation to share free and frank exchanges of views that might not happen in a non-family business. Andrew adds: “Robert illustrates how we've avoided the pitfalls of some family businesses, where there is not enough internal management discipline.”
Switching off from thinking about the business can also be a challenge, given the constant demands of running a multi-million-pound airport business. Robert says: “You probably never stop thinking about it because there are so many different facets to this business – so many moving parts. But we're very lucky to be sitting here today.”
Running every morning is one way Robert relaxes. Another for both Andrew and Robert is sailing the family’s yacht – sometimes racing and sometimes transatlantic voyages. Keen yachtsman Andrew explains the appeal. “One of the big appeals is the freedom and independence to be able to go where you want, when you want.”
Robert even thinks the mental resilience forged in the cockpit of the Contessa has contributed to his business life. “In race sailing, you are dealing with multiple variables in terms of tides, wind, every other boat around,” he explains. “You have to constantly trim the boat, you are constantly thinking about all of these variables. It really does build mental resilience and helps when it comes to some of the challenges of our aviation business.”
Talking to the Walters in the hotel bar (appropriately named the Approach), flanked by a black and white shot of a Hawker Hurricane single-seat fighter, reminds me of Biggin’s historic past. Located on site is The Biggin Hill Heritage Hanger (BHHH) featuring a range of historic aircraft. Plus, the opportunity to fly in one the few two-seat Spitfires still flying today. In fact, a new book – The Nine Lives of Biggin Hill – was published recently, unveiling the rich heritage of the airport since its inception in 1917.
Good relations with the local community are very important to the business. Strict noise abatement procedures are in place and detailed plans to minimise the environmental impacts. A local planning consultation is underway on plans to build a solar farm on the 500-acre airfield site.
Also, big efforts are made to involve the community in the life of the airport. “The moment we are no longer relevant is the moment that our local community will not support us,” says Andrew.
Meanwhile, Andrew – who has such deep roots in the airport’s past – characteristically looks to its future in his closing comment. “One of the deep satisfactions of developing London Biggin Hill Airport is the knowledge that we are building something for future generations. Our joint belief in Biggin Hill’s role in the future of the wider aerospace sector – particularly when it comes to our commitment to training and skills development – encourages the long-term thinking needed for growth and success.”
Reach the city in six. The London Heli Shuttle – equipped with a fleet of 10 helicopters – whisks passengers to London Heliport in just six minutes.
Ace of the base. Anyone can become a fighter pilot for 30 minutes at Biggin Hill with a flight in a 1943 two-seat Supermarine Spitfire. Prices start at £2,975 ($3,760).
Building a sustainable future: The new Bombardier Customer Service Facility, pictured under construction, is equipped with roof top solar panels.
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