Passenger assistance provider OmniServ has acquired OFJ Connections and OFJ Airlinks, two sister companies that provide bus and coach transport for passengers and airline crew at London Gatwick Airport.
OFJ has contracts with several partner firms and airlines at Gatwick, covering terminal transfer services, crew and passenger coach movements, car park shuttle buses and associated third party operations. OFJ also has operations at London City Airport.
Ernie Patterson, chairman of OmniServ, said, “As part of our strategy to develop and expand our services at Gatwick Airport, I am pleased to announce that OmniServ has acquired the entire share capital of OFJ Connections Ltd and OFJ Airlinks Ltd, effective December 1, 2016.
“This transaction builds on our existing UK aviation bus activities while increasing our breadth of services at Gatwick Airport, where we now employ some 700 people across our Blackjack Promotions, Red Handling and airport (SEGS) operations.”
The existing management team at OFJ will report in to Ian Mitchell, head of ground transportation at OmniServ, who is also a member of the executive leadership team.
OmniServ already provides services across a range of customer-facing contracts at Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Luton, Edinburgh and Liverpool airports. Employees act as ‘ambassadors’ who provide directions and manage passenger flow around the terminals; act as VIP hosts and drivers for inter-terminal buses; and provide assistance where needed for passengers with mobility issues or other challenges (PRM), or unaccompanied minors.
Additionally, OmniServ’s subsidiary, Blackjack Promotions, provides staff for retailers and consumer-facing brands running marketing campaigns in public areas and retail spaces.