EVA’s first look at changes and developments in the global FBO market
ASIA
Deer Jet, Sanya and Haikou, China
Deer Jet has been granted IS-BAH accreditation for its FBOs at Sanya and Haikou, the first organisation in China to be awarded the certificate.
Deer Jet has been operating FBOs in the country since 2008 and has facilities at Sanya, Haikou, Shenzhen, Changsha, Xian, Nanning, Guilin, Hangzhou and Tangshan.
EUROPE
TAG Aviation, Geneva, Switzerland
TAG Aviation hosted The Caps Collection, a summer exhibition of contemporary art by local street artist Joule Champod, at its Geneva FBO.
Adeline Varéon, Marketing and Communications Manager, TAG Aviation Europe, said: “We are delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Joule Champod. TAG has always been keen to further its strong links with contemporary art and particularly when we can help promote the works of a Geneva-based artist who shares the same roots as the TAG brand.”
Signature, London Luton, UK
Signature Flight Support’s Elite Class Service at London Luton private jet terminal is now operational, having been announced at EBACE.
Luton is the second London destination to support the service, with the Gatwick facility having recently celebrated its fifth anniversary.
Signature Elite Class enables passengers to avoid the commercial terminal and depart from Signature FBOs. Customs and immigration, and security screening are performed at the FBO in exceptional privacy.
Evie Freeman, Managing Director for Signature Flight Support’s Europe, Middle East and Africa division stated: “Customers can now enjoy an elite-class experience normally only available to those using private aircraft. It removes the stress of transiting the commercial terminal and our staff can accommodate passengers’ needs in a world-class manner. We are excited to bring back the glamour to commercial air travel and we look to continue to expand this service in the future.”
London Biggin Hill, UK
Biggin Hill’s London HeliShuttle service has expanded with the addition of a sixth Leonardo AW109 Grand.
MIDDLE EAST
Gama Aviation, Sharjah International Airport, UAE
Gama Aviation, based at Farnborough Airport, UK, has signed an agreement with Sharjah International Airport to build and operate a $30-million, 430,600sqft private jet terminal.
Replacing an existing FBO, the new facility marks further investment in business and private aviation by the Middle Eastern airport operator, as more traffic moves away from the congested areas around Dubai.
NORTH AMERICA
ACI Jet, John Wayne-Orange County Airport, California
At the beginning of August, ACI Jet officially opened its FBO at John Wayne-Orange County Airport, California.
The company operates three other FBOs in California and was awarded the lease for the most recent in January. The facility has undergone a $600,000 refurbishment in which three conference rooms and four private meeting spaces were added.
ACI Jet also provides ground handling and aircraft management, charter and maintenance services.
Republic Jet Center, Farmingdale, New York
Signature Flight Support has announced the official transition of Republic Jet Center, Farmingdale, New York to Signature Select.
With more than 100,000sqft of combined hangar and office space, the facility is the largest operator at Republic Airport. The FBO offers the only FAA Part 145 Repair Station on site, providing MRO support for most modern aircraft types.
MFC Aviation Services, Canandaigua Airport, New York
Canandaigua Airport in the state of New York is undergoing operational changes as MFC Aviation Services takes over its FBO’s handling from Canandaigua Air Center.
The latter is focusing on its MRO operations, while MFC will oversee the FBO between 0700 and 1700 daily.
The Ontario County Industrial Development Agency is overseeing new development at the airport, with plans to break ground on a new 3,600sqft hangar.
Northstar Aviation, Theodore Francis Green International Airport, Rhode Island
Northstar Aviation, which operates FBO services at Theodore Francis Green International Airport, Rhode Island, now has on-site customs for pilots and passengers.
Paul Smith, Northstar’s general manager stated: “This was a big step to better serve the international community. It opens up possibilities for our FBO and guests by helping us serve their needs more efficiently.”
Million Air, Syracuse Hancock International Airport, New York
Steel has gone up for a new FBO close to the main entrance at Syracuse Hancock International Airport, New York.
Million Air will operate the $10-million FBO, reportedly including an 11,000sqft terminal and 28,000sqft hangar. Features will include a passenger lounge, coffee bar and conference room, while aircraft storage, fuelling, ground handling, cleaning and other services are also planned.
The FBO is scheduled for completion by March 2018.
Orion Jet Center, Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport, Florida
Atlantic Aviation has entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of the Orion Jet Center FBO at Miami Opa-Locka Executive Airport, Florida.
“We are pleased that the team at Atlantic Aviation continues to expand the network of fixed base operations with quality facilities like the Orion Jet Center at OPF,” said James Hooke, chief executive officer of Macquarie Infrastructure Corporation, Atlantic Aviation’s parent company.
“South Florida is one of the fastest growing general aviation markets in the US and the acquisition of one of the largest FBOs in the region is expected to provide Atlantic with substantial network benefits.”
Orion Jet Center founder Leonard Abess said: “Through the hard work and dedication of our staff, Orion Jet Center has experienced unprecedented growth since opening in 2009. Atlantic Aviation is well positioned to continue the success we have enjoyed. We look forward to our ongoing involvement in the transformation of the airport as we develop the remainder of our leasehold.”
Cutter Aviation, Colorado Springs Airport, Colorado
Cutter Aviation has opened a new FBO at Colorado Springs Municipal Airport. Its FBO operation at Colorado Springs began in August 2006 with the purchase of the existing Discount Fuels FBO. Cutter’s expansion results from increased FBO activity and growing fuel sales.
The company leased eight additional acres for its mountain retreat-themed executive FBO terminal and state-of-the-art 62,000US gal fuel farm. Cutter purchased a 23,000sqft hangar adjacent to the new FBO in 2015.
Stuart Jet Center, Witham Field, Florida
Stuart Jet Center has broken ground on an extension to its FBO at Witham Field, South Florida.
The extension will see Stuart Jet Center add two hangars as the busy winter 2017/18 season approaches. The hangars will total 50,000sqft and be able to accommodate aircraft including the G650 and Global Express.
From early 2018, Stuart Jet Center will also offer US Customs facilities at Witham Field.
Francis Aviation, New Mexico
Francis Aviation recently announced John Stuart as its new Vice President in an effort to ‘accelerate growth’.
He will be instrumental in remodelling an existing FBO in Las Cruces and help lead expansion as its customer base grows.
Meridian, Hayward, California
Meridian has appointed Carlos Rodriguez as General Manager of its Hayward FBO in Hayward, California.
Rodriguez was previously operations manager at the same FBO; in his new role, he will oversee day-to-day operations. Launched in October 2016, the FBO is looking forward to further growth under the new appointment.
Leading Edge, Redmond Municipal Airport, Oregon
Leading Edge Aviation, parent company of Leading Edge Jet Center, has purchased Butler Aircraft Services and will take over its FBO at Redmond Municipal Airport, Oregon.
Leading Edge is now the airport’s sole FBO operator.
Quest Aviation, Aberdeen Regional Airport, South Dakota
Kevin Braun of Quest Aviation, the FBO operator at Aberdeen Regional Airport, South Dakota, has been granted permission to create a private 1,091ft turf runway on Quest property adjacent to the airport.