Industry News

Contributing Editor
Created: November 28, 2007

GAMA—General Aviation Manufacturers Assn. reports that third quarter numbers for general aviation shipments and billings rose 1.7 percent to 2,909 units, with billings for new airplanes rising to $15.1 billion. Shipments of piston-engine airplanes dropped to 1,857 units, down from 1,975 airplanes last year. Turboprop shipments increased 14.5 percent, growing from 256 airplanes in 2006 to 293 units this year. Business jets were up, with shipments totaling 759 units, a 20.9 percent increase.

HMS HOST CORP.—is awarded a lease extension at the Kahului Airport in Maui through 2013, and will introduce four new dining venues including Sammy’s Beach Bar & Grill, a new island style café developed in partnership with local Maui resident Sammy Hagar.
• HMSHost Corporation also opens a youth-run gourmet coffee shop, Training Grounds, at Oakland Int’l Airport.

HUDSON GROUP—is awarded two retail concessions contracts by the Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) to bring national brands and authentic local concepts to the airport’s Domestic Terminal and Transborder areas.

PANAMA CITY (FL)—initiates the construction phase of its new state-of-the-art international airport on a 4,000-acre site donated by The St. Joe Company.

THE PARADIES SHOPS—wins a contract extension at Sarasota Bradenton Int’l Airport to operate three new stores through 2022, adding a CNBC Sarasota Bradenton, a Gulf Coast TravelMart, and a PGA TOUR Shop.

PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ—officially takes over control of Stewart Int’l Airport in Newburgh.

RALEIGH DURHAM INT’L—is reportedly a finalist for the expansion and/or relocation of NetJets, which has major operations in Columbus, OH and New Jersey.

U.S. DOT—awards some $9 million in grants to 26 communities to promote local air services via the Small Community Air Service Development Program.

VAN NUYS (CA) AIRPORT—plans construction of a ‘propellerpark’ for light GA aircraft on a 39-acre site.

FBO Snapshots

Hawker beechcraft to sell seven FBOs
Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, based in Wichita, KS, reports it is exploring the possible divestiture of its domestic U.S. fuel and line operations, though it plans to retain its Hawker Beechcraft Services maintenance and customer support facilities co-located at these locations. HBC operates fixed base operations at seven U.S. locations: Atlanta; Houston; Indianapolis; San Antonio; Tampa; Van Nuys; and Wichita. Operations in Little Rock, Chester, U.K. and Toluca, Mexico will not be affected.

Galvin flying services acquired
A new company formed by Quantem FBO Services, LLC and WR Capital Partners, LLC-WR/QFS FBO Holdings, LLC, has acquired long-time Seattle FBO Galvin Flying Services, Inc. at Boeing Field (KBFI). Founded in 1930 by Jim Galvin, Galvin had been owned and run by Peter Anderson, nephew of the founder, since 1980. He will continue as president. FBO industry veteran Blake Fish, president and CEO of WR/QFS, calls the acquisition “the first important step in our plans to grow our FBO business.” Galvin plans to immediately add 175,000 square feet of hangar, shop, and office facilities on 11.5 acres.
Quantem FBO Services, LLC owns and operates Byerly Aviation in Peoria, IL and Metro Flight Services, LLC at Detroit Metro.

At oak, business jet center expands
Business Jet Center (BJC), a fixed base operation at Oakland International Airport, adds some 15,000 square feet of hangar space and 32,980 square feet of apron. BJC now manages more than 100,000 square feet of business/general aviation hangar, shop, and office space. Business Jet Center OAK opened for business in the fall of 2003 and completed a $4 million renovation of the airport’s 8,449 sq. ft. original 1920’s executive terminal building.

Monterey peninsula gets a new FBO
Central Coast Aviation Services unveils plans for the Salinas (CA) Municipal Airport Jet Center, the newest FBO to serve the Monterey Peninsula. CCAS partnered with local developers and the City of Salinas. The Salinas Jet Center will break ground in 2008 on over 100,000 square feet of corporate hangar space and over 40,000 square feet of office space, a national chain hotel, a restaurant, and conference center.

Change in ownership at boca raton
LAH Aviation Holdings finalizes the acquisition of Avitat Boca Raton, a fixed based operation (FBO) at Boca Raton (FL) Airport. The acquisition includes a 17,000-sq. ft. terminal and 75,000 square feet of hangar space on 5.5 acres. Terms of the agreement between LAH Aviation Holdings and Muvico Theaters, the previous owner, were not disclosed.

Voyager jet center breaks ground
Voyager Jet Center (VJC) breaks ground at the Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin, PA. for a new fixed base operation facility. Voyager Jet Center offers aircraft management and consulting, charter arrangement, aircraft fueling, sales, maintenance, and hangar services.

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