EVA looks at changes and developments in the global FBO market since the Winter 2017 issue
Africa
ExecuJet, Lanseria International Airport, Johannesburg, South Africa
ExecuJet, part of the Luxaviation Group, has seen its Berlin and Lanseria FBOs gain International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) Stage II accreditation.
The Lanseria FBO has 9,000m2 of hangar space, a private ramp and world-class amenities.
Asia
Deer Jet, Beijing and Shanghai, China
Deer Jet has earned International Standard for Business Aircraft Operation (IS-BAO) Stage II registration for its Beijing and Shanghai branches, adding to numerous safety awards and certifications, including the recently acquired Wyvern Wingman Standard.
Universal Aviation, Seletar Airport, Singapore
Universal Aviation Singapore, based at Seletar Airport (WSSL), has earned IS-BAH accreditation.
It joins Universal Aviation London Stansted (EGSS) as the second Universal Aviation location to become IS-BAH accredited. Universal Aviation, the ground support division of Universal Weather and Aviation, has more than 40 locations in 20 countries.
HondaJet China, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, China
HondaJet China (Honsan General Aviation) has opened a new FBO at the business jet terminal being constructed in Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Guangzhou, China.
Europe
TAG Farnborough Airport, London, UK
TAG Farnborough Airport has announced a record increase in air traffic movements (ATM), reporting the highest ever growth in its history for the month of January, with an increase of 17.9% in January 2018. The statistic follows a year of significant growth, 2017 having been the airport’s busiest since 2007.
For the full year 2017, TAG Farnborough Airport saw a year-on-year increase in ATM of 7.4%. The facility serves customers from around the world and noted substantial growth from Asia, with an increase of 13% year-on-year, as well as Africa and Europe, both up by 10% year-on-year.
Harrods Aviation, London Luton, UK
Harrods Aviation is leasing 53,000sqft of the space at its London Luton FBO for aircraft parking, as the airport faces overcrowding.
The space will enable up to five additional aircraft to park while the company continues its search for a long-term solution to the growing demand for its FBO services.
ExecuJet, Berlin Schönefeld, Germany
ExecuJet’s Berlin FBO has gained IS-BAH Stage II accreditation. The Berlin Schönefeld FBO features an exclusive luxury VIP lounge with conference facility and extensive pilot and crew provision.
Edeis, Annecy-Mont Blanc Airport, France
Edeis, a new French company specialising in infrastructure projects across Europe and particularly in France, began operations at 18 airports on 30 December 2017; among them, Annecy-Mont Blanc Airport is offered as the ‘best alternative to Geneva Airport’, with ample slots for jet operators.
Since May 2017, Annecy has been the leading airport in the Auvergne-Rhone-Alps region and was also the first in the Edeis group to obtain IS-BAH certification. Some 40,000 flights were recorded in 2017, including 2,400 business flights, a total that looks set to increase in 2018.
Major development over the last year has almost tripled the size of the apron, while the airport is beginning to assume a hub role for local business aviation. Alongside a strategic partnership with Jetex, there are plans to construct a business aviation hangar and improve the terminal.
Milano Linate Prime and Leonardo
Leonardo and SEA Prime have reached an agreement to open a maintenance base at Milano Linate Prime.
The facility will include a dedicated hangar offering maintenance on AW109 and AW139 helicopters, in business and commercial service.
Avfuel, Rome and Milan, Italy
Avfuel has announced a branding agreement with the Argos VIP FBOs in Rome and Milan Linate.
Middle East
Jetex Dubai Global 7000
Bombardier displayed its Global 7000 mock-up in the Jetex Private Terminal in Dubai between 11 January and 3 February. The mock-up was making its Middle East debut, demonstrating its spacious cabin to visitors.
North America
Lynx FBO Network, Clinton National Airport, Little Rock, Arkansas
The Sterling Group Lynx FBO Network has completed the acquisition of Fly Arkansas’ FBO assets at Clinton National Airport in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Fly Arkansas retains the FBO at Boone County Airport, and Aircraft Management and Charter. Sterling launched Lynx, a buy-and-build FBO effort, in August 2016. Little Rock is its sixth acquisition.
Luxivair SBD/Jetex, San Bernardino, California
Luxivair SBD and Jetex Flight Support have entered into a strategic partnership to provide Jetex service at the San Bernardino FBO.
The first of its kind in the US, the partnership expands the Jetex global offering, bringing its customers a 12,000sqft, two-storey terminal featuring a spacious glass-enclosed atrium lobby, ramp-side vehicle access, a pilots’ lounge, snooze room, flight-planning room, conference facilities and crew cars. Guests also have access to an extensive range of concierge services, a luxurious cinema and an outdoor lounge area providing stunning panoramic views of the airport and San Bernardino Mountains.
Passengers also benefit from on-site US customs, helping international flights avoid some of Southern California’s most congested airspace at Los Angeles and Van Nuys. The San Bernardino FBO is located in the greater Los Angeles Basin, approximately 60 miles east of the city and boasting convenient access to many of Southern California’s top attractions, the majority of which are within an hour’s drive of the airport.
Jet Aviation, US FBOs
Jet Aviation’s eight US FBOs have now all qualified for Stage I IS-BAH registration, joining the company’s 13 FBOs in EMEA and Asia.
Avfuel, Goodyear, Arizona & Davenport and Muscatine, Iowa
Avfuel has announced new branded FBO partnerships with Lux Air Jet Centers in Goodyear, Arizona, and Carver Aero at Davenport and Muscatine, Iowa.