Signature Bows Out of London City, As Airport's to Provide FBO Services

Signature Flight Support, part BBA Group plc, will cease providing FBO services at London City Airport (LCY) on November 30.

London City Airport will itself take over responsibility for all corporate aviation activity at the airport, and is in the process of building a new Jet Centre facility.

LCY's decision to launch its own FBO was driven by a 252% rise in corporate aviation activity since 1995. Three thousand corporate movements were recorded at the airport last year.

London City sees the move as an extension of its own brand. LCY's managing director, Richard Gooding, told Show News, "Corporate aviation is a vital part of the business travel industry and our dedication to customer satisfaction and attention to detail will ensure that the Jet Centre will deliver an excellent service to these important clients."

The London City Jet Centre will have VIP lounges, a dedicated VIP aircraft stand (out of a total of 10 stands at the docklands area STOLport), and immigration, customs and crew facilities. Also available will be flight watch, cleaning, catering, line maintenance, refueling, baggage and aircraft handling services. The new facility will be fully operational by early 2002.

A BBA spokesperson told Show News, "BBA is very sorry to lose the business, and at some point in the future, if it is possible, or there is an opportunity, we would like to get the business back. However, the loss is not material to the overall business."

Business aircraft certified to use LCY include the Cessna CitationJet, Citation I/II/V, Mitsubishi MU-2, Piaggio Avanti, Jetstream 41, King Air B200/350, Falcon 50/900B/900EX, Piper Seneca and Navajo and Dornier Do 228 and 328 turboprops.

-Mike Vines