Signature Flight Support arrives at EBACE two-thirds of the way through a comprehensive refit of its site at Luton airport in the UK, one of its flagship European facilities.

So far the first two phases of development have been completed, with the opening of a new 4,500m² hangar and 7,000m² parking stand. The company is now engaged in the construction of a new state-of-the-art FBO and lounge, which is due to be finalised by the third quarter of 2016.

An additional upgrade programme is ongoing at its Mineta San José airport facility, with the addition of seven new hangars.

“In both instances, our goal is to provide a world-class customer experience in exceptionally designed facilities with teams of professionals delivering best in class services,” says Maria Sastre, president and chief operating officer of Orlando-headquartered Signature.

“These will be premium locations that will provide a new level of convenience, privacy and efficiency.”

The first quarter of 2015 has seen the FBO provider “outpacing its key markets” as global growth in business aviation continues to be patchy.

Parent company BBA Aviation said in an 8 May trading statement that business aviation movements in North America increased by 1% in the first quarter and declined by 4% in Europe.

That continues 2014’s trend where Signature outperformed modestly growing US and declining European markets.

Sastre says that market conditions are likely to be similar this year: “Our view is that the recovery will be heading in the right direction [by year-end].

“The EMEA region is still challenged by economic and political speed bumps, but our long-term outlook is positive. The market in the US is strengthening and we are confident that it will cross borders bringing world markets up over time.”

Last year Signature added eight new FBOs to its global network and a further nine Signature Select franchised locations were signed up. An additional Select site was added on 1 January this year when Menzies Aviation at Barcelona airport joined the network.

Sastre declines to comment on future opportunities this year, but says there could be further growth. “We aren’t concerned with putting dots on the map, but we are interested in locations that make sense and are relevant to our customers and, what we as Signature can bring to the table for prospective business partners.”

Source: Flight Daily News