A provider of business aviation services has completed a $6-million expansion project at Gerald R. Ford International Airport that will double its capacity.
Signature Flight Support, which is owned by BBA Aviation and based in Orlando, Florida, celebrated the opening of its new 18,000-square-foot aircraft storage hangar and 5,000-square-foot executive terminal earlier this week.
The project sits on 2.2 acres of land.
Patrick Sniffen, VP of marketing for Signature, said the expansion is significant, because it allows Signature to accommodate larger aircraft, such as a Gulfstream 650, which he said is one of the larger business jets on the market.
Sniffen said the new hangar and terminal incorporate modern elements business passengers require.
“The new facility is made to be extremely efficient for passengers and crews to transit to and from the air side and expedite their air-to-ground transportation,” he said. “It’s an upgrade and features all the modern amenities.”
He said the design also incorporates green building practices, specifically noting the high-efficiency lighting and natural light utilized in the spaces.
The company’s existing facilities also received some cosmetic upgrades, and 51 parking spaces were added to Signature’s lot.
Signature also operates a maintenance facility on the opposite side of the airport.
Sniffen said Signature is “bullish” about business aviation.
“We really see business aircraft as a tool for business development and growth, and it really is an entry point to the Grand Rapids business community,” he said. “For us, we feel our efforts here will aid in the economic development of the city.”
Signature Flight Support is a fixed-base operation and distribution network for business aviation services. Signature’s services include fueling, hangar and office rentals, ground handling, maintenance and a wide range of crew and passenger amenities.
The company operates at 200 locations in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia.
http://www.grbj.com/articles/85971-aviation-company-completes-6m-hangar-and-terminal