Jota Aviation at London Southend has appointed Kevin Callan as CFO. Callan joins Jota's senior management team from Gama Aviation, where as group CCO he played a key role in the merger between Hangar 8 and Gama in 2015.

“We are delighted to have enticed Kevin to return to his roots and help us implement our expansion plans,” says Jota CEO Andy Green.

Callan's career in aviation began at Southend airport in 1993, working for BAe146 operator Flightline until 2009. “The airport has changed dramatically since I was last here, with considerable investment and an airport management team that firmly appreciates the business charter model,” he says. “Jota has achieved a lot in its first six years. It is energetic and swift to respond to market opportunities and I am looking forward to taking it to the next level.”

The company is currently finalising the lease of a 2,150 sqm hangar facility which will be ready in July. It intends to house its own spares for its BAe 146/Avro RJ aircraft and eventually establish a Part 145 line maintenance station for the fleet. Heavy maintenance on the regional jets would continue to be outsourced to Avalon Aero at Cranfield.

“It is pleasing that we are flying more hours than expected with Avro RJ G-JOTR, with charter work and sub-contract work to regional airlines,” continues Green. “We are in a niche market with this versatile and popular aircraft as there are very few 146/RJs available for ACMI charter in Europe now.” The fully refurbished Avro RJ85 95-seater entered service in April.

Jota's Avro RJ85 and BAe 146-200 are complemented by a fleet of King Air turboprops all offered for charter.