FBOs around the world

Wilson Air Center is planning a major expansion project at Houston Hobby Airport (KHOU). “We have been experiencing an impressive increase in traffic at Houston Hobby,” says Dave Ivey, Vice President, Wilson Air Center. With Phase I complete, which encompassed a total renovation of the existing facility, the company will break ground on Phase II later this month. Plans include the construction of a brand new 25,000 sq ft G650-size hangar and office complexes. Phase III will consist of the erection of a 10,000 sq ft terminal and plans to construct an additional concrete ramp to support the increase in traffic at KHOU.

ExecuJet Africa has been awarded the Flight Safety Foundation Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) accreditation at its FBO at Lanseria International Airport.

NetJets has opened a private terminal at Palm Beach International airport (PBI) in Florida. The new facility will cater exclusively for NetJets and sister company Executive Jet Management's customers. The 930m2 (10,000ft2) facility was developed in partnership with Signature Flight Support, which operates the world's largest fixed-base operation network.

A look at the new PBI NetJets terminal...

Private aviation services provider Signature Flight Support (Signature) has renewed its multi-year contract with airport multimedia provider Clear Channel Airports Global (CCA). A division of Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, CCA thus remains the exclusive media provider for Signature Flight Support in North America. This agreement includes 62 of Signature’s fixed-base operations (FBOs) in the US. (FC)

American Aero, a Signature Select affiliated FBO at Meacham, Fort Worth, Texas (KFTW), has completed the second phase of its renovation and expansion programme.

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its service center at London Luton Airport in the United Kingdom. The facility, located at one of Europe’s business aviation hubs, was the company’s first international service center. “We moved to Luton in 2003 because of the skilled employees available there and its prime location in relationship to our installed fleet,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “As our fleet continues to expand internationally, Gulfstream Luton will continue as a vital part of our world-class service and support network.” Within a year of acquiring the operation, which is located 30 miles north of London, Luton’s hangar space doubled to 56,000 square feet/5,203 square meters. Facility expansion led to employee growth, and by the close of 2007, Gulfstream Luton had nearly 100 employees, up from 40 in 2003.

In October 2011, Gulfstream Luton relocated to its current home, a larger, more modern hangar and accompanying office space. The 75,000-square-foot/6,968-square-meter hangar can accommodate 10 to 12 aircraft, depending on the mix of large-cabin and mid-cabin models. Gulfstream’s fleet in Europe, the Middle East and Africa has grown to more than 340 aircraft. Adjacent to the hangar is a 10,000-square-foot/929-square-meter parts and materials warehouse, which opened in May 2011. It is currently stocked with more than $40 million in inventory.

Gulfstream Luton, today with nearly 190 employees, has been under the direction of general manager Sumi Fonseka since May 2008. The facility is a certified European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) repair station and EASA Part 21 design organization, which includes installation and repair capability for avionics and interiors. The facility also holds 13 other civil aviation authority approvals, including authorizations to work on Gulfstream aircraft registered in Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Tanzania and Turkey.

Gulfstream Luton technicians service more than 100 aircraft monthly at their facility or off-site. So far in 2013, Luton technicians and the Europe-based Field and Airborne Support Team (FAST) members have made more than 350 road trips to assist customers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Gulfstream Luton also offers EASA-authorized Continued Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO) services, which allows its staff to handle maintenance, maintenance planning, airworthiness management and airworthiness review for customers. Gulfstream’s other major presence in the U.K. is a sales and design center in the Mayfair section of London. The 5,500-square-foot/511-square-meter center includes a showroom filled with leather, veneer, fabric and carpet selections along with conference rooms and customer offices. Gulfstream’s other international service centers are in Beijing and Sorocaba, Brazil.

To capitalize on the growing demand for high-end executive travel, Jetex has launched a full-service FBO at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central. The FBO offers a VIP lounge, ground support, fueling, handling and security services, with Jetex’s team of dedicated professionals on hand to look after hotel accommodation, catering and limousine services. There is also complimentary Wi-Fi, heightening the ease of travel and convenience for clients.

Signature Flight Support completed its acquisition of the assets of Maguire Aviation Group at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in California, effectively tripling its presence at the busy general aviation airport. The acquisition expands Signature’s footprint at VNY to 1.17 million sq. ft. of hangar, ramp, passenger lounges and office space. It also provides Signature with its second dedicated NetJets facility at VNY. NetJets opened the 10,000-sq.-ft. Van Nuys facility through a teaming agreement with Maguire in 2012. Signature in November formally opened a NetJets terminal at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida.

With the exception of the NetJets terminal, Signature will rebrand the Maguire facilities and operate them as part of its Signature Flight Support network. The Maguire staff at the facilities will be folded into Signature Flight Support. While Signature will own and operate the facilities, Maguire founder and CEO Robert Maguire says Maguire Investments will continue developing the facilities in coordination with Signature. “We have a great franchise at Van Nuys Airport, and Signature Flight Support was our clear choice,” Maguire says. (AW)

The transfer of business aviation from Dubai International (DXB) to Dubai World Central (DWC) is picking up speed as business jet operators face a tightening squeeze at Dubai’s existing airport caused by dwindling slots and timing restrictions. Four charter operators have set up FBOs at DWC: Jet Aviation, Jetex, ExecuJet and DC Aviation-Al Futtaim. Dubai-based officials said 3,000 to 4,000 bizav aircraft movements would have to be transferred from DXB to DWC during the closure of DXB for runway rehabilitation, set to run for almost three months this year. (AIN)

As the New York area FBOs prepare for the onslaught of business aircraft arrivals at the Super Bowl little more than two weeks away, some continue to develop their plans and customer incentives. At NBAA’s Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference, which began today in New Orleans, Sheltair, which operates FBOs at five area airports (John F. Kennedy International, La Guardia, MacArthur, Republic Airport in Farmingdale and Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach), announced it has representatives at the show (Booth No. 902) to accept reservations and provide operational details. The Florida-based provider will be offering game-day events at those locations, double AVTRIP rewards points, and has waived its special-event fees. The company noted that hangar space at MacArthur and Republic is limited and will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. (AIN)

Teterboro private jet jam for the super bowl

http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/24/news/companies/super-bowl-private-jets/index.html

Gama Aviation FZE continues to enjoy strong growth at its MENA home base, Sharjah International Airport, reporting a 70% increase in the number of business aviation movements in 2013 compared with 2012. The regional arm of the global business aviation services company has been instrumental in expanding the airport’s activity in business aviation and is on schedule to unveil its brand new dedicated FBO Terminal this year.

Signature Flight Support has started construction work at its San Jose, CA (SJC) facility in Silicon Valley. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on Friday, February 28, marking the official commencement of the $82-million facility.

LCY authorities have approved NetJets’ Signature series to operate to and from the airport. NetJets’ Chairman and CEO, Jordan B. Hansell, claims the Berkshire Hathaway company to be “the first and only private aviation company” to receive this kind of approval.

Due to its position in the center of London, LCY has specified strict safety criteria for take-offs and landings, which require accredited pilot training, enhanced weather criteria and adherence to strict noise abatement procedures. NetJets’ accreditation was received after successful take-offs and landings at LCY with one of the company’s Signature Series Global aircraft. Crewmember training is nearing completion. (Fly Corporate)

Another acquisition is about to follow Signature Flight Support’s recent FBO takeover of Biggin Hill, England (BQH)-based MRO provider Jets, as the company has signed an agreement to acquire the FBO assets of Metro Flight Services, located at Detroit Metro, MI (DTW). (FC)

Another acquisition is about to follow Signature Flight Support’s recent FBO takeover of Biggin Hill, England (BQH)-based MRO provider Jets, as the company has signed an agreement to acquire the FBO assets of Metro Flight Services, located at Detroit Metro, MI (DTW). (FC)

The airport authority at Biarritz, France (BIQ) has invested more than €800,000 (US$ 1 million) in refurbishments to the FBO and business aviation terminal. The new facility opened for business in June 2013. Amenities include customs and immigration, executive lounges, and on-site car rental. Last year, BIQ recorded 2000 corporate jet movements, and handled aircraft ranging in size from the Airbus ACJ to the Citation CJ1. Runway 09/27 measures 7,380 x 145 ft. (FC)

Aerocardal is holding the official opening of its new FBO terminal at Santiago International, Chile (SCL) on March 27. The opening is timed to coincide with FIDAE 2014, Chile’s premier annual aerospace exhibition and air show.

Nearly 100 people spoke on Tuesday night in front of the Santa Monica City Council for and against the city's suggestion to continue with its plans of shutting down the historic Santa Monica Municipal Airport.

With a massive divide between those who support the airport and those who want to see it gone, it appears nearly impossible at this point to find a solution where the parties meet half-way. So the prudent thing for the city council to do would be to bring the airport redevelopment issue to a ballot measure. (Flying)