FBOs around the world

Westchester County Million Air FBO in 2019.

JetEx FBO terminal in Dubai.

A new hangar facility was added recently in Ocala, Florida. Sheltair says the just added a new hangar on the FBO site at Ocala International Airport in Florida. The new hangar cost around 2.1 million dollars to build can host all purpose-built business jets on the market at present and even those that are in development like the Gulfstream G700.

Signature Aviation looks to be on the verge of being bought out by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) for an estimated 4.6 billion USD. Signature Aviation runs and operates the worlds largest set of FBOs after a very aggressive acquisition program in the last ten years that se them buy out many FBO rivals around the world to stake their major presence at many if not most airports globally. Looks like they are on the cusp of being eaten themselves. Adebayo Ogunlesi, chairman and managing partner of GIP said, "As an experienced, long term infrastructure investor with a strong operational focus, we believe that we are the ideal partner for Signature going forward".

Something new is coming to the Colorado area in the form of a new FBO eventually. The project is being done in two phases with the FBO build in the second phase. The first phase though has already started and involves a private hangar complex at the Northern Colorado Regional Airport. The entire project is expected to expand to 29.5 acres. Ground has been broken on what is expected to be a 30,000-sq-ft heated hangar with 28-foor-high doors. It will also features greater than 8,000-sq-ft of customizable office space for prospective tenants. This section of the work is anticipated to be completed by year-end. The second phase will involve an FBO. The start date for the construction of the FBO is subject to demand. However, it will eventually spread across 148,000 sq-ft of hangar and office space finishing off with an 24,000-sq-ft FBO terminal.

Another FBO will be coming to the Fort Lauderdale area. That is because ground has been broken on a new FBO project at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The centerpiece of the FBO will be a three-level passenger terminal measuring approximately 27,000 sq ft. Servicing it will be a massive 80,000 sq ft hangar suitable for long haul jets. "In terms of people moving their operations to South Florida, the number of large aircraft coming into the market is unbelievable," said Emlyn David, former CEO of Skyservice Business Aviation. He was introduced as a strategic consultant for the development. Below is a look at what the terminal will look like once it is completed in 2022.

Here is a look at the artist rendering of the new Landing hotel that is supposed to be built at the London Biggin Hill airport. The Landing hotel will be a boutique hotel only providing 56 rooms for guests. The 18th of March saw the ground breaking ceremony for the new hotel and it is expected that it will be completed by this time next year - first quarter 2022-. Besides the 56 rooms which are expected to serve mainly fly-in and out crews and other associated persons, the hotel will have a gym, restaurant, lounge area and a bar.

Another FBO will be coming to Florida's Lakeland Airport (Lakeland Linder International Airport). It is expected to be completed by the end of the year after the 7 million dollar investment is materialized. The second FBO will comprise of a 11,000-sq-ft terminal, along with 15,000-sq-ft and 10,000-sq-ft hangars respectively.

In further signs of an economic recovery in Dubai, DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF), the leading business aviation company with its own FBO and hangar facility, has recorded a 25% increase in private and business jet activity in the first quarter of this year. From its fully integrated facility at Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South, DCAF saw an increased number of VVIP guests arriving from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Europe, India and Pakistan amongst others. The company also saw increased visitors from Israel following the signing of the Abraham Accords agreement to open diplomatic, trade and economic relations between the two countries. Holger Ostheimer, Managing Director of DCAF, said: "The UAE has firmly established itself on the world stage with the positive steps it has taken to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in flight movement is the result of the increased confidence in the UAE government’s vaccination program, tourism-related initiatives and other economic stimulus measures taken to boost consumer and business sentiment. We have seen this increased number even into Ramadan which is generally a quiet period and we expect this trend to continue for the remainder of the year."

A new FBO is coming to Texas specifically the North Texas Regional Airport (KGYI) which is just outside of Dallas. Rise Aviation recently broke ground on what will be 3.7-million dollar project which will feature a dual-level 10,800 sq ft terminal. The FBO complex also includes approximately 68,000 sq ft of hangar space that can accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Gulfstream V, as well as seven acres of ramp space. "As the North Texas area continues to grow, many businesses and investors who come to Grayson County with thoughts about relocating, building, or investing here will arrive in a business aircraft," said FBO owner George Shuler. "We are pleased that Rise Aviation’s new facility will be Grayson County’s front door to the world."

With the International Economic Forum (IEF) going on in Russia, the business jet activity at the Pulkovo International Airport spiked. FBO Pulkovo-3 suggested that it had processed more than 120 business jets arriving for the event. Despite the welcomed spike executive jet activity for this particular FBO is still 30 percent or so below pre-pandemic levels.

Execujet opens an FBO in Israel at the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel. Mike Berry, ExecuJet’s President Aviation Services and Vice President Middle East, says: "We’re now finalizing key project elements such as passenger flow within the VIP passenger lounge within the Fattal Terminal. We’re planning to deliver the highest service levels to our many valued clients." The FBO is managed in partnership with leading Israeli aviation and tourism company Flyeast and will be part of the luxury Fattal Terminal at Ben Gurion Airport. Services offered will include VIP passenger processing, supervisory aircraft handling, concierge services, flight arrangements and charter solutions.

Signature Flight Support at BGI.

https://www.signatureflight.com/locations/bgi

Signature Flight Support at London Luton a few years ago.

Jet Aviation is continuing to grow at a fast clip. It recently acquired ExecuJet’s Zurich FBO and hangar operations and Luxaviation’s Swiss aircraft management and charter division. "This acquisition creates significant value for our global customer base by further expanding our network and delivering innovative, world class standards in service and quality," said Jet Aviation president, David Paddock. "It is an exciting step in our journey to be the leading partner in global flight." Jet Aviation gets two private ramps and two hangars and 17 aircraft more aircraft to its European fleet as part of the acquisition.

The Corporate Air FBO at Florida’s Vero Beach Regional Airport will soon bring U.S Customs to the facility. They are expected to break ground on the new 2.2 million dollar 4,000 sq ft facility next month.
"Our customers were frequently flying internationally and wanted to come directly to their Florida homes, so we have answered their request and are building a U.S. Customs facility that will turn Vero into an international airport," said company president Rodger Pridgeon. Why 2.2 million dollars? They say it is to make the facility adherent to Customs and Border Protection standards and specifications. The new facility is anticipated for completion in 2023.

Farnborough Airport in the UK is offering Sustainable Aviation Fuel to all aircraft. More on this in the dedicated SAF thread.

https://www.jetforums.net/threads/sustainable-jet-fuel-saf.3328/

Another FBO has been taken over by another company. Over in Mississippi, Southern Sky Aviation purchased Sky Warrior Flight Support, the lone service provider at Trent Lott International Airport in Pascagoula, Mississippi. his is Southern Sky Aviation's foray into the FBO business.

A new FBO has opened up at Virginia Airport. Richmond Executive Aviation (REA) is the new aviation service provider at Virginia’s Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County Airport. The 2.3 million dollar facility has an FBO that has an 800 sq ft terminal encompassing a passenger lounge with complimentary refreshments and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ramp, a 15-seat conference room, pilot lounge with snooze room, flight-planning area, flight-training classrooms, crew car, and concierge service. For aircraft coming to the facility there are two 10,000 sq ft hangars that can accommodate aircraft up to a Gulfstream G450 size jets.

Ross Aviation Lincoln (formerly Silverhawk Aviation) is the latest FBO to join the Air Elite Network. "Our facility in Lincoln will continue to maintain the high standards upheld by Silverhawk and the Air Elite Network," said Ross COO Cy Farmer. "We remain dedicated to providing elevated service and have also implemented sustainability initiatives that include our ‘Fly More. Leave Less’ carbon-offset program."