Standard Aviation has opened its new luxury FBO at Cyril E. King Airport on St. Thomas Island in the Caribbean this week.
The 28,000 square feet terminal, which took four years to build, was funded by a public / private partnership between the Virgin Islands Port Authority and Standard Aviation and is the largest free-span building in the Caribbean.
The St. Thomas FBO is positioned as a gateway to both the US and the British Virgin Islands and regularly welcomes high net worth visitors to St. Thomas or connects them to their final Caribbean destination or yachts.
The FBO features a 24,000 square foot hangar that can accommodate jets up to a Gulfstream G550. Heavily reinforced to withstand tropical storms and hurricanes, the Standard Aviation facility is engineered to protect valuable assets from the tropics’ harsh elements. The hangar also uses semi-autonomous tugs ensure that aircraft are safely positioned while maximizing storage space.
Facilities for visitors and crews include separate lobbies within the two-story complex, pilots’ relaxation room, and a flight planning conference center overlooking the runway of Cyril E. King Airport. Bespoke to jet travelers, Shari Pellows Interiors designed the FBO.
The FBO hosts charters of fixed- and rotor-wing assets in house, including AeroMD air ambulance, Breeze Air Charters, Caribbean Buzz Helicopters, and UFLYVI flight school, aircraft rental, and management.
“Our team is elated to welcome jet owners, charter guests, and their crews to our world-class facility in the Virgin Islands,” said Shaun Miller, managing member of Standard Aviation. “For St. Thomas and numerous surrounding islands, there has not been an FBO to meet the expectations of modern, high net worth travelers. Standard Aviation raises the bar, enabling St. Thomas to compete with the world’s most lavish FBOs.”
“Tourism is vital to the Virgin Islands economy, and our premiere new facility is an important piece of that picture for the future,” said Sabina Rosario, general manager of Standard Aviation. “As Caribbean tourism steadily rebounds from the effects of COVID-19 and the previously relied upon cruise industry, visitors will exclusively select destinations where they can rely on exceptional facilities and five-star experiences. Our customer service team members undergo training and demonstrate the regional knowledge, to provide the concierge services that will make any client’s trip perfect.”
A member of Air Elite by World Fuel network, Standard Aviation has been recognized as being among the top 75 World Fuel Services branded locations known for their superior facilities and unparalleled customer service.
Standard Aviation is also certified by the Corporate Aircraft Association (CAA) as a preferred FBO. The company is also active with the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), exceeding the highest safety practices for aircraft fueling. The facility has received accolades from US Virgin Islands Governor, Albert Bryan, Jr., and Virgin Islands Port Authority Executive Director, Carlton Dowe.
