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.”