Signature Flight Support has broken ground on a new fixed based operation at London Luton airport to replace its existing facility at the UK's busiest business aviation hub.

The new facility will have a 1,572m² (16,900ft²) FBO and 4,500m² of hangar space capable of housing two Boeing Business Jets or Airbus ACJ319-sized aircraft. A dedicated ground service equipment garage will also be built at the site, says Signature "which will also boast the latest in technologies for entertainment, communications, passenger and crew amenities".

Company president Maria Sastre says: "Signature Luton is a keystone location in our global network, drawing visitors from all over the globe. This new, contemporary facility is designed to accommodate the needs of our discerning customers, both passengers and crew. Luton is one of Signature's most important locations outside of North America handling around 12,000 flights annually."

Signature has been at Luton for more than 12 years following its purchase of McAlpine Aviation. The FBO was opened in 1947 at the airfield. Completion of the new hangar is expected in the third quarter of 2013 and the new FBO and passenger terminal will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Source: Flight International