JAX facility grand opening took place Friday; FBO Shannon current owners will retain interest, run facility

Signature Flight Support on Friday officially dedicated its sparkling new FBO terminal at Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) at a Grand Opening ceremony attended by approximately 100 persons, including management and staff of the Jacksonville Airport Authority (JAA), local officials and civic leaders, and members of the media and trade press.

The spacious, state-of the-art facility encompasses nearly 10,000 square feet and is designed to provide passengers and crew with an attractive, comfortable and highly functional environment. The many available amenities include well-appointed passenger and crew lounges, individual business centers equipped with telephones and data ports, complimentary WiFi access, and executive conference room.

Beth Haskins, President & CEO for Signature Flight Support, acknowledged the tremendous support provided by the JAA throughout the design, development and construction of the new terminal. “I am extremely grateful to Chairman Ron Weaver and members of the Board, Executive Director John Clark and his staff, and the greater Jacksonville community for all their assistance in seeing this project through from the concept phase to the beautiful facility we have today”, Haskins said. “We are proud to be part of the JAX family and look forward to serving the airport and community for many years to come.”

The new terminal at JAX is one of two Signature Flight Support facilities currently serving the greater Jacksonville area. Signature also operates an FBO terminal at Jacksonville Cecil Field (VQQ), which has recently undergone a complete refurbishment. Joe Gibney, General Manager for Signature Flight Support at JAX, noted he is particularly pleased that the facilities have been completed in time to welcome visitors to Jacksonville for the Super Bowl.

“Our objective is to provide a premier ‘front door’ to the Jacksonville community”, he said. Gibney added that both locations have already received a significant number of reservations and that he expects approximately 450 aircraft combined at the two facilities during the days surrounding the event.

The company also announced on Friday that it has acquired an 85% interest in FBO Shannon, headquartered at Shannon International Airport (SNN), Ireland. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Signature officials said the business will be branded as Signature Flight Support Shannon and that the current owners, who will retain a 15% ownership interest, will remain and continue to manage day-to-day operations.

FBO Shannon was founded in 2001 to provide dedicated, round the clock ground support services to business jet operators at SNN. The Company offers a complete range of services to business and general aviation customers transiting SNN including aircraft ground handling and parking, executive lounge and business center, catering, weather and flight planning, and assistance with hotels and ground transportation.

FBO Shannon also provides services on demand for business aircraft at nearby Cork and Waterford airports. The acquisition increases Signature’s FBO network to 19 locations in Europe. Signature also operates 42 FBO’s in the U.S. and has joint venture FBO interests in Brazil and Hong Kong.

“FBO Shannon is a quality organization and represents an excellent strategic fit to the Signature network”, said Beth Haskins, President & CEO for Signature Flight Support. “Shannon is often the first stop for business jets traveling to Europe and we look forward to continuing to provide passengers and crew with the high level of service and support they’ve come to expect from both FBO Shannon and Signature Flight Support.”

FMI: www.SignatureFlight.com, www.bba-aviation.com