About us

  • The Blades Break

Founded in 2005 by two Royal Air Force pilots, 2Excel has grown from five people and four aerobatic aircraft to over 400 people and a fleet of 30. In 2018, 2Excel Aviation became 51 per cent employee owned through the creation of an Employee Ownership Trust.

With an annual turnover of more than £45m, the rapid growth of the company’s business lines and capabilities has enabled 2Excel to become an emerging force in the market. Now entering the company’s 15th year, 2Excel is successfully bidding for and winning contracts against much larger competitors.

With bases at Sywell Aerodrome, Stansted Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Lasham Airfield, 2Excel’s customers include Government Departments, the defence and oil industries, airlines and airline brokers.

Key Figures

Vision & Mission

A trusted and respected aviation services business, owned and managed by exceptional people, consistently exceeding expectations, and building a robust and valuable company.

Designing innovative solutions and delivering world-class services to meet the most challenging aerospace requirements.

Timeline

2005

  • RAF pilots Andy Offer and Chris Norton launch 2Excel

2006

  • The Blades Formation Aerobatic Display Team is formed, becoming the world’s only ‘aerobatic airline’

2008

  • 2Excel develops a surveillance-drone and air-land integration service for the British Army

2009

  • Development test and evaluation flying is introduced

2010

  • Air charter operator 2Excel Broadsword is launched

2013

  • The Boeing 727 aerial dispersant business unit is created

2015

  • 2Excel secures a £14m loan to fund growth
  • 2Excel takes over the aircraft maintenance company ATC Lasham and establishes 2Excel Engineering

2016

  • 2Excel Aviation is granted a Type A Operating Licence
  • 2Excel Engineering gains an Approval for Boeing 757 series aircraft

2017

  • The Blades win the inaugural World Formation Aerobatic Championships and The Blades Race Team is formed

2018

  • The Employees Ownership Trust for 2Excel Aviation is established
  • 2Excel Broadsword’s Boeing 737 charter operations begin
  • 2Excel Engineering gains an Approval for Airbus A320 series aircraft, doubles productivity and becomes profitable

2019

  • 2Excel is contracted by Leonardo to provide a Flight Test Aircraft to the Royal Air Force’s Team Tempest future jet fighter programme
  • In November, 2Excel launches a bespoke five-year surveillance service and aircraft concept for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to support a variety of ocean-based requirements, including search and rescue.

Working with

 
RAFBF
The Air League
Airlines UK