FBOs around the world

Jet Aviation announced recently that it has acquired a stake in Scottsdale Jet Center, with the intent to build and operate a new, state-of-the-art Jet Aviation branded FBO and tenant hangar by late 2020. The new facility will complement existing tenant facilities at Scottsdale Airport, a top 15 US business aviation market. With an expanding footprint in the US market, Scottsdale Jet Center allows Jet Aviation to continue its strategy of supporting customers in the locations they most frequent. The new facility will allow Jet Aviation to operate FBOs in eight of the top 15 US business aviation markets.

“We are committed to growing Jet Aviation’s position as a leading FBO service provider,” said Dave Paddock, senior vice president and general manager, Jet Aviation Regional Operations USA. “Scottsdale is a highly attractive location to business jet owners and operators and is regularly ranked in the top 15 US airports. Having a presence in Scottsdale will enable our customers to have greater connectivity across the Jet network.” Scottsdale Jet Center currently leases 45,000 sf of office space, 24,000 sf of T-hangar space, tie-down spaces, and shades. Planning for the new FBO terminal and 30,000 sf hangar is currently underway, with opening planned for late 2020. Thereafter, Jet Aviation plans additional phases of development to support growing customer demand.

Jet Aviation is expected to break ground in the coming week on an expansion project of its FBO at Palm Beach International Airport in Florida. The new addition consists of a new 40,000-sq-ft hangar and 10,000 sq ft of tenant office space, along with a new fuel farm with around 30,000 GAL capacity. The construction is part of a joint project with sister company Gulfstream, which is adding a new service center at the location, including a 115,000-sq-ft hangar. At the new facility, the two companies will also share an additional 21,000 sq ft of office space and a customer lounge.

Liege (LGG) in Belgium is looking to develop further to accommodate business aviation travel more. They are collaborating with ASL to make partnership work. In an agreement made on the 9th of May, ASL Group will construct and operate a hangar covering 2,100 sq m (22,650 sq ft) and a 250-sq-m dedicated business aviation terminal that will have direct access to the apron and aircraft parking areas.

A new FBO will be established at an Oklahoma area Airport. It will be the Wiley Post Airport's 3rd FBO. The company going in there is called JetSet for the passenger terminal and facilities. When the $6 million is completed next year, it will be the third FBO at the airport. The other two that currently exist there are Atlantic Aviation and Valair Aviation.

Jetex is ready to build out FBO network in Morocco. The recent Moroccan Station manager for Jetex, Julian Pitaresi is responsible for building out a new network of FBOs there. Five FBOs are on the cards to be built but they will need all the skill to be able to make this venture happen as the area isn't as easy to work in as other areas in the world. Patience, diplomacy and hardwork will perhaps see this new venture through.

A new FBO is coming to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia. It will be located at the Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) and will be the first FBO there. Ground breaking for the new 7,000 sq ft facility is set for mid-June and completion is expected to be end of year. IAM Jet Center will be taking up residence there. They already have facilities in Barbados, Jamaica, Tortola and Grenada.

Dallas Love Field has a new hangar facility which has been recently completed. The hangar is already fully booked out with tenants too. The new he 46,000-sq-ft hangar now brings 250,000-sq-ft of aircraft storage space at the airport for Business Jet Center (BJC). The new Hangar M can accommodate new jets such as the Bombardier Global 7500. "BJC is positioned well to serve the continued growth in aviation traffic at Love Field, and most recently, we have begun design of our next hangar facilities to meet additional demand for hangar space," said Mike Wright, a company partner. Below is a look at the new hangar from above.

In an interesting development, it seems that Signature is acquiring the IAM Jet Center FBOs in the Caribbean which operate from Jamaica, Tortola, Grenada and Barbados. This of course means that the 7,000 sq ft plant being fleshed out in St Lucia will also fall under Signature's control.

Avfuel Corporation has announced its new partnership with Advanced Air of Council Bluffs, Iowa. This FBO joins the fuel supplier’s branded network. Among the amenities you will find at the facility.

FBO RIGA now holds IS-BAH Stage Three Registration making it the only FBO in the Baltic States to have this accreditation. Below is a look at the hangar and FBO passenger facilities. Photo by FBO RIGA.

It looks like another service provider/FBO may be taking up residence at Napa County Airport. At least that is what they are trying to have happen. Currently Lynx is the only operator there. In a few days, there will be a tour of the area for interested parties. The airport is actually undergoing and environmental impact assessment and hopefully by 2022 a new FBO will take up residence at this airport.

TAG Farnborough Airport has won an environmental award. In a field that was described as tough, the Farnborough Business Aviation airport won the inaugural Energy and Carbon Transition Award, part of the Sustainability Impact Awards that is facilitated by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA). The FBO beat six other leading brands just edging them out overall.

An update on the construction progress of the new Signature Flight Support FBO under progress at St Lucia's Hewanorra International Airport (UVF). Photo by a local spotter Angel Vee.

Heading to Chicago Executive Airport (PWK) soon? You will be pleased to note that the second runway that was out of commission for a while is now completed. Runway 12/30 was under rehabilitative works since July and now it is back in action looking brand new and ready to serve you. The 1.7 million dollar project saw 4,000 tonnes of asphalt put down to strengthen the runway along with freshly painted markings, directional signs, LED directional boards and LED lights.
"This improved runway will further support our airport operations," said Andrew Wolanik, the airport’s operations and maintenance supervisor. "All of these modern improvements, combined with my staff’s commitment to year-round safety and reliability, will keep Chicago Executive Airport at the cutting edge of general aviation operations for decades to come."

Falcon Aviation is planning a new FBO that will cater to Urban Mobility in the future. In fact they suggest that one will open in time for the Dubai 2020 EXPO. Right now they are evaluating what type of aircraft they would use. The Leonardo AW609 appears to be a candidate with its tilt-rotor configuration. Look out for this in the not-too-distant future.

Van Nuys Airport now has another FBO in the form of Jet Aviation's new facility there. The $40 million facility comes with a 10,000-sq-ft terminal and a 43,000-sq-ft hangar and around 8,000 sq ft for office space. The plant is more of a permanent fix for Jet Aviation. Back in 2016 they were granted the go-ahead to re-develop a 17 acre site at the airport.

Million Air has taken over the sole FBOat Puerto Rico's Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci Airport.Signature Flight Support were the previous operators there. Million Air is now renovating the facility to their standards and branding. A new 30,000 sq ft hangar is also in the works to bolster operations there for Million Air.

A new General Aviation Terminal has opened up in Costa Rica at the San Jose Juan Santamaría International Airport. The facility will be part of the new domestic terminal at MROC -adjacent to the main commercial terminal-, an infrastructure project which includes 15,260 square-feet. Universal Aviation Costa Rica is a member of Universal Aviation, the worldwide ground handling division of Universal Weather and Aviation.

Swissport Executive Aviation has moved into a newly built terminal for VIP flights and executive aviation at Marrakech Menara Airport, where it opened a fixed-base operation (FBO) on 1 February 2020. The new facility offers state-of-the-art infrastructure, that make arrivals, stopovers and departures convenient and hassle-free. Marrakech is Swissport’s second facility of this kind in Morocco, after the Casablanca FBO, which opened in 2018. The VIP terminal includes a building from the Moroccan Airports Authority ONDA for police and customs.

On more than 500 sqm, the stylish facility offers relaxing lounge space for up to 40 passengers, including a bar and a media corner. The terminal also includes a VVIP lounge for up to nine guests. The first floor is reserved for crew members and can accommodate up to 18 people. Here, they can relax and prepare for their flights. The crew area includes a TV lounge, a kitchen, two spacious bedrooms and bathrooms with showers.

“With the opening of our second Moroccan FBO in this new, state-of-the-art VIP terminal in Marrakech we are further expanding Swissport’s strong position in the north African Executive Aviation market”, says Christophe de Figueiredo, CEO Swissport Morocco. “We are pleased to increase our services and quality for the executive aviation community traveling to and from Marrakech Menara Airport.”

Reno Airport is going to get a second new FBO facility. Stellar Aviation reportedly gained a 50-year lease from the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority to develop 40 acres on the northeast section of the airport in the vicinity of the Dassault maintenance center. Ground breaking is anticipated for the end of 2020 which will see the first phase being undertaken. The $20-plus million project will encompass a 5,000-sq-ft terminal, a 30,000-sq-ft hangar, 4 acres of ramp space with 6,250 sq ft of office and shop space. Expect the new FBO to be operation in 18 to 24 months time-frame.