Lifting Spain’s VIP Handling To New Heights Since 1979

Would you ride the baggage carousel to safeguard the journey of your VIP clients’ luggage to their aircraft?

That’s exactly what General Aviation Service (GAS) founder, Alberto Utrera, did in order to ensure accurate customer service in the organization’s early days before GAS had dedicated airport stations or a full handling team.

Although the conveyor belt teams were undoubtedly shocked to see Alberto riding alongside the luggage, those who know him are not likely to be surprised at that story. The company’s above-and-beyond culture stems directly from the attitude that began the moment Alberto launched one of Spain’s first private aviation, VIP ground handling firms in 1979: Do whatever it takes in the name of exceptional customer service.

Fueled by the extremely poor private aviation care he witnessed during that era, he knew the time was right to act on his entrepreneurial sense to fill that void. So with great determination and nominal financial backing, Alberto founded GAS with “a lot of vision and maybe a little stupidity” (in his own words)… the sentiment shared by most small start-ups with a grand vision.

(Alberto Utrera)

Forty-five years later, GAS is 10-locations strong across Spain with a resounding reputation for attention to detail, with over 100 seasoned professionals on the VIP handling team, and with a way of becoming like an extended family to their clients.

“We have a wonderful relationship with our clientele that goes beyond business,” states Juan Guerreiro, Managing Director of GAS. “They place a great amount of trust in us to not only perform excellent ground handling services for their crew and aircraft, but to also help with transporting their kids, organizing their trips, and many other services to make their travel experiences personalized and first class. We care for them as we’d care for our own families, because to us, they are family.”

Despite currently managing approximately 70,000 flights per year, GAS has maintained their “small business” perspective thanks in part to Alberto’s choices for GAS’ current leadership roles.

Juan Guerreiro (Managing Director), Luis Hurtado (Commercial Director), and Jaime Utrera (Quality Manager and Alberto’s son) know full well what it’s like to start from the ground up. They each cut their aviation management teeth with roles such as ramp techs, dishwashers, lavatory cleaners, and a litany of other hands-on services. Today, no role is beneath any of GAS’ team members, so long as the clients are provided the white-glove touch.

(Juan Guerreiro, Jaime Utrera, Luis Hurtado)

“I even remember the ‘old days’ of standing near VIP clients with a box of coins, feeding the payphone as they conducted important business conversations,” recalls Juan. “It’s funny to tell that story now, but it was awkward in the moment.”

Luis states, “Each of us, including Alberto’s son Jaime, began our careers with GAS from ground zero, and I believe that’s what makes the real difference for our clients. As with our founder, we intimately know what is involved with premium handling services from top to bottom, inside and out, and we don’t take any roles for granted.”

Jaime adds, “Even though I am the son of the owner, I never wanted to start with any large position in the group… I knew I needed to learn from scratch to continue this work ethic legacy.”

It’s for this reason that FPI and GAS are kindred spirits with their cultures. FPI’s founder, Tom Balousek, originally connected with Alberto during the early days of Tom’s prior company, Air Routing International (ARI).

“Tom’s no stranger to the infamous fortitude necessary to become successful at premium private aviation flight management,” says Matt Pahl, COO of FPI. “Whether referring to the origins of GAS or FPI, we’re honored to work for and with the caliber of leadership demonstrated by both our founders.”

Matt continues, “This is also why reconnecting with GAS at the launch of FPI was a no brainer. We’re proud to extend the GAS expertise to our own clients when Spanish airports are on their radar.”

FPI clients with travels to or through Spain will enjoy working with the GAS team, ready to serve in the following locations:

• Madrid (LEMD)
• Barcelona (LEBL)
• Málaga (LEMG)
• Palma de Mallorca (LEPA)
• Alicante (LEAL)
• Valencia (LEVC)
• Granada (LEGR)
• Gerona (LEGE)
• Ibiza (LEIB)
• Reus (LERS)

Standard GAS operational services include a 24/7 headquarters, special vendor arrangements (parking, fuel, hotel, etc.), rental and charter services, full suite of ramp side services, and more.

As with all vendor partners that FPI brings to the table, the services provided by GAS are included within FPI’s turn-key management for FPI clients, so that your flight operations are streamlined into a more simplified point-of-contact and invoicing process.

“Our primary purpose has always been to provide premier trip management services to our clientele regardless of trip, aircraft, or destination types,” Matt continues. “We have utmost confidence in GAS and anticipate that our clients will enjoy working with each GAS team member they encounter.”

Speaking on behalf of Alberto, Juan states, “Sometimes relationships with clients are purely business; however, we consider the FPI team and their clients to be family.”

“It is a privilege to have your collaboration, making us improve day by day. Our sincere thanks to everyone for that.” — Alberto Utrera, Founder and CEO of GAS.

(Luis Hurtado, Alberto Utrera, Juan Guerreiro)

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To learn more about FPI, FPC, or regarding the Compliance, Operations, Regulatory, and other Special Services Network (SSN) teams, please contact our Operations staff here at Flight Pro International.

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