Ian Morrow 2
IT WAS a busy weekend for local businessman Ian Morrow, whose aviation firm hosted International golfing stars, including Ernie Els, along with the victorious Pro 12 rugby champions the Glasgow Warriors.
Mr Morrow, a former Enniskillen High School pupil from Fivemiletown runs Jet Assist, an aircraft handling agent. The company handles chartered flights in and out of Ireland and this past weekend Ian admits he was ‘up to his eyeballs’, on account of the Irish Open being held at Royal County Down Golf Club.
The company was responsible for everything from parking for the aircrafts, refuelling, right through to VIP transportation, privatised security and even catering requirements. This all done through the company’s headquarters at Belfast International Airport.
“It proved an excellent week for us, we had a lot of aircraft movements in relation to the golf and it’s obviously helping the growth of business aviation in Northern Ireland, the golf tourism side of things.”
For privacy reasons Ian could not speak about all the golfers who flew through Belfast, but did confirm that major champion Ernie Els was a customer.
“He’s a very, very nice guy, who appreciates the level of customer service that he’s given.”
As well as the golfers, the company handled a chartered flight from Glasgow carrying the Glasgow Warriors rugby team. They won the Guinness Pro 12 title beating Munster on Saturday evening at the Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.
“They were in good spirits. A lovely bunch of guys, very down to earth, very laid back sort of chaps and obviously a lot of those guys are in the Scottish national team. We were able to have some fun with them by saying at least you didn’t beat Ulster or we wouldn’t have been letting you through.”
It has been a year of expansion at Jet Assist with a new headquarters at Aldergrove, along with
a growth in transatlantic business and an increase in staff, with the company now employing six people on a full-time basis.
On May 20 the company also submitted an in-depth proposal to Belfast International Airport to begin the process of building a new $4.1m state-of-the-art 44,000 square foot aircraft hangar and a 22,000 square foot office accommodation at Belfast International Airport.
Subject to final approval and planning permission the facility is to be completed by summer 2017.
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere
