Signature Bank announced it has provided debt capital to J.A. Air Center to finance their expansion at the Aurora Municipal Airport. The tailored financing package will allow the 55-year-old company to leverage their location in the western suburbs to expand beyond their original footprint.
J.A. Air Center is a Fixed Base Operator (FBO) that services both business and private aviation, offering fueling, aircraft maintenance, avionics, and more. With nearly 150,000 square feet, their state-of-the-art facility features a fully-appointed 11,000 square foot private terminal with a vintage car display, 100,000 square feet of heated hangar space capable of sheltering a G650, and a 15,500 square foot arrival canopy to protect their customers from the harsh Chicago elements. J.A.’s flight school, J.A. Flight Services is Chicago’s Premier Career Pilot Center offering collegiate and non-collegiate programs for those interested in becoming a professional pilot.
“Signature Bank is excited to help support the expansion of J.A. Air Center,” said Signature Bank Vice President, Dave Wymer. “This relationship represents our interest in the business and private aviation sector and we feel that J.A. Air Center is one of the best FBOs in the country. With the Chicago area landlocked to the east, south and north, we feel that J.A. Air Center is well positioned for growth to the west.”
J.A. Air Center opened its doors as Joliet Avionics, an avionics shop in 1965 and has evolved into one of the largest independent FBOs in the United States. Located just outside O’Hare Airport’s airspace with only one stoplight between their facility and downtown Chicago, J.A. Air Center offers not only first-class service but also unmatched convenience for business aviation.
“The team from Signature has shown nothing but excitement and enthusiasm about J.A. Air Center and the industry in general,” said Scott England, chief financial officer of J.A. Air Center. “We look forward to a long relationship with Signature as we continue to grow over the next 55 years.”
