The latest addition to TAG Aviation's Farnborough Airport in
the UK is a three-story passenger and operations terminal which, design-wise,
is as inspired as its control tower and "wave" hangars. Investment is still
being poured into this corporate-only airport, making it the most visually
exciting in Europe.
The passenger terminal building is boomerang or "flying
wing" shaped in plan, and looks like a sparkling aluminum galleon (minus the
masts) from some angles at ground level. More vivid imaginations have described
it as an "alien spaceship." It is one of the most exciting structures to be
seen at any airport, and doubtless reflects the affluence and expectations of
its demanding clientele.
"The 54,000 sq ft building is, amazingly, on-time and within
budget," joked a very proud Len Rayment, TAG Farnborough's Director of FBO and
Business Development. "It is due to be operational before year's end, equipped
to VIP standard and upwards.
"There are three or four private lounge areas, a secure
lounge, a small bistro, a presentation room for up to 40 people with audio
visual facilities, and smaller private meeting rooms. Flight crews will have a
top quality briefing room, rest rooms, lounge, and executive quality shower
rooms."
According to Rayment, two major corporate aviation companies
have booked office space in the spectacular new terminal, where more than 70%
of the available office space has now been let. TAG's charter arm will be
moving in as early as possible, as the business is expanding rapidly. "We have
increased passenger handling staff by 50% in the last quarter of '05 to handle
this extra work, and be ready for the move into the new terminal," he told Show
News.
Also on site, and already operational, is Flight Safety
International's new training facility, its largest outside the U.S. Training
courses have already started, and the simulators are humming in this 95,000 sq
ft building.
The next building on the cards is TAG's 180-room hotel which
will be aimed primarily as lodging for FSI's students and visiting aircrew, but
will also be available for public bookings.
"The hotel project board has now selected an architect and
operator, but I cannot release further details yet; completion though is
expected to be within 18 months to two years," said Rayment, hinting that the
architecture will be in keeping with TAG Farnborough's image.
It is thought that the hotel will operate a 24-hour
environment much like those adjacent to FSI's flight training facilities here
in the U.S.
Also currently at the planning stage, and awaiting Board
approval, is the addition of another 120,000 sq ft matching 'wave' hangar to
the west of the current site. "Existing new hangarage, opened just over a year ago,
is close to capacity," says Rayment.
TAG, which has so far spent well over $200 million on the
project, is well on the way to making Farnborough a complete one-stop business
aviation airport. Not only that, but it is the most exciting, modern, and elegant
corporate aviation airport on the other side of the Atlantic.
