Signature Flight Support continues to gather momentum in Europe by expanding into its newest region through the acquisition of a 60% share of Prime Aviation Services S.p.A. from SEA Prime S.p.A, who will remain a 40% shareholder. SEA Prime S.p.A. is 100% owned by SEA S.p.A., the airport manager of Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa.
The newly-refurbished FBO in Milan-Linate (LIML/LIN) and satellite stations in Milan-Malpensa (LIMC/MXP), Rome-Ciampino (LIRA/CIA) and Venice Marco-Polo (LIPZ/VCE) add four locations to Signature’s European network now totaling 31 FBOs in EMEA and 199 globally. Signature Flight Support’s European network is represented in 9 of the top 25 European airports in terms of business and general aviation activity. The FBOs will be fully-branded Signature Flight Support locations.
The operation in Milan-Linate (LIN) offers VIP passenger handling, with exquisite lounge accommodations, customs and immigration assistance, ground transportation, hotel and conference coordination and VIP security services as well as fuel services. For crew, the exclusive crew lounge area offers a quiet and comfortable rest area. Weather briefings, flight planning assistance, NOTAM information, slot coordination, crew ground transportation and hotel accommodations are standard amenities for crew. Flight support services include, catering, laundry services, aircraft cleaning, and maintenance support. Ground handling, VIP lounges and fuel services are offered in Rome-Ciampino (LIRA/CIA) and Venice Marco-Polo (LIPZ/VCE) airports.
The partnership has been formed one year after the relaunch of business aviation by SEA S.p.A. at Milan Linate, the first business aviation airport in Italy with over 22,000 movements per annum. In particular, the relaunch has seen the refurbishment of the General Aviation Terminal in 2015 and is part of investments in excess of 25 million Euros beginning in 2015 through 2020.
“These investments are a strong sign of our commitment and we believe that this important agreement with Signature Flight Support, the largest player in the industry, will be instrumental not only in accelerating the expected growth at our airports, but also in generating new opportunities and international synergies. 2015 marked a turning point for SEA Prime, which saw revenues and profit growth. Today we open a new chapter in which, by combining our assets, and the leadership of our partners, we foresee a new and important role for Italy in the business aviation sector," said Giulio De Metrio, Chairman of SEA Prime S.p.A. and COO of SEA S.p.A..
“Prime Aviation Services is a significant addition to the Signature Flight Support network providing our customers premier choices for flight support service at four of Italy’s top airports. We are proud to add them to the Signature family and will immediately offer our customers visiting our newest region with Signature’s world-class customer experience and benefits. We are confident that this partnership with SEA Prime S.p.A. will raise the bar for business and general aviation handling in Italy,” commented Mark Johnstone, Managing Director for Signature Flight Support, EMEA.
To learn more about Signature Flight Support, Signature Select and other licensing options contact:
Evie Freeman, +44 1582 434 680 or [email protected] or visit the BBA Aviation booth C051 at the 2016 EBACE in Geneva, Switzerland held May 24 – 26, 2016.
Signature Flight Support, a BBA Aviation plc company, is the world’s largest fixed-base operation (FBO) and distribution network for business aviation services. Signature services include fueling, hangar and office rentals, ground handling, maintenance and a wide range of crew and passenger amenities at strategic domestic and international locations. Headquartered in Orlando, Florida, Signature currently operates at more than 190 locations in the United States, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. For more information, please visit: www.signatureflight.com or on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/signatureflightsupport. Follow Signature Flight Support on Twitter: SignatureFBO.
BBA Aviation plc is a leading global aviation support and aftermarket services provider with market leading businesses and attractive growth opportunities. BBA Aviation's Flight Support businesses (Signature Flight Support and ASIG) are focused on refuelling and ground handling of business and commercial aviation aircraft. Its Aftermarket Services businesses (Dallas Airmotive, H+S Aviation, International Turbine Service, Barrett Turbine Engine Company, International Governor Services and Ontic) are focused on the repair and overhaul of jet engines and the service of aerospace sub-systems and components. For more information, please visit www.bbaaviation.com.
SEA Prime S.p.A. manages all the general aviation infrastructures in Milano Linate Prime including the GAT, nine hangars the passengers and crew lounges and the Business Center. SEA Prime managed over 22,600 GA movements in 2015, manages an apron of approximately 67,000 sqms, 9 hangars for a total of 19,000 sqms as well as a fuel farm.
Prime Aviation Services S.p.A. is a certified operator offering ground handling services for general aviation including ramp services, operating services, crew services , VIP and lounge customer services and catering services; Prime AviationServices operates in Milan-Linate (LIML/LIN), Milan-Malpensa (LIMC/MXP), Rome-Ciampino (LIRA/CIA) and Venice Marco-Polo (LIPZ/VCE) For more information, please visit www.milanolinate-prime.it.
