Supporting British Industry & Craftsmanship
JETMS Completions is an aircraft interior and exterior completions company, offering services including cabin refurbishment, exterior paint, and bespoke interior manufacturing based at Biggin Hill Airport.
The Covid pandemic hit many companies in the aviation sector, but not all. JETSMS Completions' work making cabin interiors for commercial aircraft has been replaced by demand from people wealthy enough to switch from a first-class seat in a commercial plane to a £6-£8.5 million private jet. The company also converts executive jets into private air ambulances. The 30,000 square foot hangar in Biggin Bill has a wood workshop that produces bespoke pieces such as galleys, bars and tables which are lacquered and varnished in spray booths. As well as working on new planes, the team fully refurbishes twelve aircraft a year.
The company was founded as RAS Completions at Biggin Hill Airport in 1996 by two local business men with a background in painting and cabin construction. The airport was formerly a Royal Air Force station famous as a fighter base during the Battle of Britain in the Second World War and is home of the Spitfire. So the company also repaints and refurbishes these heritage aircraft in the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar.
"It was a thrill to visit Biggin Hill Airport and have a chance to go behind the scenes of the Heritage Hangar and the factory floor where they convert the private jets - certainly my first time in one! It was great to see all the skills under one roof - from the sewing of the intricate leatherwork to the precision engineering and delicate paint work. It is always encouraging to visit thriving businesses and this one had ambitious plans for the site, with hopes to increase the workforce and recruit more apprentices." Carmel King photographed JETMS Completions in January 2022 for Made in London.
