FBOs around the world

Million Air opens new FBO at Stennis International Airport

The new Million Air Stennis facility, stays true to the company's name, and came with a price-tag in the millions. It actually cost them more than $7 million to construct. For that money they got some 7,500-sq-ft FBO terminal building, approximately 25,000 sq ft of hangar accommodation for business jets and more than 500,000 sq ft of ramp space to park those shiny multi-million dollar aircraft on!

Korea wants a slice of the pie too!

There is a brand new FBO under construction in Seoul at the moment, well advanced and expected to open its doors in about a year's time. The project is being done in conjunction with AvJet Asia and will represent Korea's first major FBO, immediately thrusting it onto the international scene. Seoul’s Gimpo International Airport is the location of the new FBO and by December 2015 construction is anticipated to be finished -bar no major delays- and to officially unveil/open in April 2016. Look out world, Korea wants a slice of the pie too!

America Aero Fort Worth is stamping its authority on expansion! The company already has completed its second hangar space for the year, a 40,000 sq ft space for jets up to G650 size. It is the second part of a new 100,000-sq-ft Leed-certified structure. . When the final 20,000-sq-ft hangar is finished by year-end, the service provider will have approximately 280,000 sq ft of aircraft storage space, including a 32,400-sq-ft 1930s-era hangar.

How inside part of the Signature Flight Support Luton FBO will look when it is completed.

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim has seen traffic triple at Dubai World Central Airport in the first three months of 2015, as compared to the same quarter of 2014. The explosion in activity is a great sign for the area and proves the growing business aviation sector. The DC Aviation Al-Futtaim hangar has enough space to accommodate four ACJ or BBJ type aircraft of the heavy business jet category as well as two ultra-long range business jets such as the Falcon 7X, Bombardier Global Express or Gulfstream G550.

Avfuel has announced that the Million Air branch at Medford which is a full-service location on the West ramp side of the Medford-Jackson County International Airport in Oregon has chosen Avfuel as their fuel supplier and branding partner. It is not only big news for Avfuel but good business for Million Air. Joe Keith, who is the President of Million Air Medford is quoted as saying: “Personal care and exceptional service are of utmost importance to us.”

IS-BAH (International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling) certification has been given to Sky Valet at the Cannes Mandelieu airport. This would be the first European facility to have this accreditation to their name.

Signature Flight Support will be attending the 2015 EBACE with the confidence that their monumental project at Luton in the UK is two-thirds completed. At the moment two phases of development have been completed, with the opening of a new 4,500m² hangar and 7,000m² parking area. Signature is presently having the build-out and construction of a new state-of-the-art FBO and lounge, which is expected to be completed by the 2016, in the region of Q3.

EAN Aviation, a company based in Lagos, Nigeria is set to undertake the refurbishment of the FBO VIP lounge at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. The new work is expected to be finished by July 2015 and will feature updated, refreshed spaces to present a new, individualistic and high-end feel for it's users. Segun Demuren, CEO of EAN said: “As an independent FBO we wanted to create our own look and feel. We think the result will really delight our customers and all of the team at EAN is excited about the plans. Our current facility provides a seamless experience for our customers but with our planned offering clients will be welcomed into a stylish, well appointed, luxurious environment that has been designed to enhance our excellent customer service and exceed their expectations.” Below is a render of how the lounge will look when completed.

Ever thought what might be some of the best business aviation airports around? Well, for the month of May, yes as in May that just passed Teterboro Airport in New Jersey stole the limelight! Others higher in the list were Opa-Locka Executive, Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International, San Antonio International in Texas. Note, these are all in the United States. What about any internationally? Well... Paris' Le Bourget was up there so to Qatar's Hamad International. Wonder who is going to be best in June...

Ground has been broken on a new FBO facility for MAC Air that will take up residence at the Portland International Jetport. With the schedule set out now, it is anticipated that work will conclude for January 2016 at a cost of $6 million dollars. So, what will this new facility have? It is expected to have passenger facilities of course which will include a luxurious customer lounge, executive conference amenities, gourmet catering service and front desk reception area.

Hawthorne Global Aviation has opened U.S Customs inspection facilities at Cobb County International Airport. Cobb County International Airport can be proud to now be the first Atlanta metro-area general aviation airport to offer on-site customs inspections. The airport suggests that the Customs services will be available immediately.

Skypark FBO in Malaysia

Jet Aviation has signed a preferred partner Fixed Base Operation (FBO) alliance with Sheltair designed to offer clients using U.S. locations an enhanced customer experience. Jet Aviation and Sheltair, two leading FBO providers in the Americas, are launching a preferred partner alliance that will offer advantages to customers across its FBO networks in the U.S. The alliance will heighten the FBO experience through favored hospitality services, personalized interactions and additional rewards programs. The companies are working together to share best practices and leverage combined purchasing power. The program marks a shared philosophy of superior service, management excellence and an uncompromising commitment to safety, and will provide customers with a better travel experience through a joint market offering. “We are excited to be partnering with an outstanding organization such as Jet Aviation,” noted Danny Walsh, senior vice president, FBO Operations, Sheltair. “Their legacy of success in the service business is one with which we are proud to be associated, and we look forward to offering our customers consistent service excellence and exceptional value through our shared best practices.”

Some more news from DC Aviation Al-Futtaim...

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim announces it has added a Challenger 604 to its managed fleet. The aircraft, which DC Aviation Al-Futtaim will operate on behalf of the owner is expected to set up home base at the Dubai World Central Airport.

Jet Aviation held a ground breaking ceremony at its Boston/Bedford facility last week to commence construction of its new, state-of-the-art Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at Hanscom Field. Jet Aviation officially broke ground at Hanscom Field for their two-phase, 12-month facility improvement project on Thursday, July 16, 2015. The improvements will increase hangar and ramp capacity, improve operational safety and efficiency and achieve LEED Silver certification. The new two-story 13,000 square foot FBO will be comprised of a 40,000 square foot hangar, capable of handling large aircraft up to the size of a Gulfstream G650 and a Global 6000, as well as a 16,000 square foot office and shop space. The plan also includes a 92,000 square foot ramp and apron upgrade, new pavement and landscaping, installation of a new roadway and utilities connecting to the facility.

Gama Aviation says it is experiencing high demand for large cabin business jets at the airport. As a result they have expanded services to keep pace. To facilitate this and with support from the Sharjah Airport Authority, Gama Aviation has acquired further aircraft parking space at Sharjah International Airport.

Meridian Air Charter has broken ground on their new Hayward Executive FBO. The ground breaking took place a couple days ago literally at the end of July (29th). Once fully operational, Meridian Hayward will offer fuel and maintenance services, as well as passenger and crew facilities. Completion of the project is expected in the autumn 2016.

Weston Aviation opens new FBO at Cork Airport. It represents the first time that this company opens a facility outside of the UK. It will officially open to business in September. Weston Aviation offers fixed base operations (FBO) and cargo handling as well as aircraft fuel and support services.

Air Elite/World Way Aviation has added a number of FBO facilities in 2015 in the Latin American region. Mexico, Caribbean and South America have been new destinations rolled out so far in 2015. Owing to the addition of as many as seven new locations to the overall network in 2015, the Air Elite Diamond Service membership program has grown exponentially throughout Latin America. YU Lounge (Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis); Jet Centre Curacao (Hato International Airport in Willemstad, Curacao); and finally the Ecuacentair (Mariscal Sucre International Airport in Quito, Equador). For the YU Lounge in St. Kitts, that project came to life when the project was signed in 2014 at the Middle East Business Aviation exhibition in Dubai.