Business aviation services group ExecuJet is doubling to eight its network of European fixed-base operations, announcing at the show a major expansion into Spain and the addition of an FBO in Turkey.

The Spanish facilities will be in Ibiza, Palma and Gerona and join ExecuJet's existing Spanish FBO in Valencia. The Turkish FBO at Istanbul's Ataturk airport is being opened in partnership with Bilen Air Services.

ExecuJet, which has other European FBOs in Zurich, Berlin and Paris, is putting its faith in Spain despite the country's well-documented economic troubles. "We view it as an area of economic opportunity," said Cedric Migeon, managing director of ExecuJet Europe. "By growing our FBO bases now we are well positioned for when the Spanish economy begins to rebound. We have moved into airports that we know are already serving an increasing amount of international movements and expect the business to grow significantly in the next few years."

The Turkish facility will allow ExecuJet to "bridge the gap" between Europe and the Middle East, where the company operates an FBO and maintenance hangar in Dubai, said Mark Abbott, FBO director. The existing terminal will be refurbished over the next few months to "incorporate the joint branding and style of both companies".

Bilen Aviation, founded in 1995, is an Istanbul-based aviation services company that provides ground handling at a number of Turkish airports.

Source: Flight Daily News