Signature Flight Support has expanded its European network with the acquisition of a 60% share of Italy’s Prime Aviation Services from SEA Prime, who will remain a 40% shareholder. SEA Prime is 100% owned by SEA, the airport manager of Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa.
The newly-refurbished FBO in Milan Linate and satellite stations in Milan Malpensa, Rome Ciampino and Venice Marco Polo will be added to Signature’s European network, which now totals 31 FBOs in EMEA and 199 globally. The FBOs will be fully-branded Signature Flight Support locations.
The partnership has been formed one year after the relaunch of business aviation by SEA at Milan Linate, the first business aviation airport in Italy with over 22,000 movements per annum. The relaunch has seen the refurbishment of the General Aviation Terminal in 2015 and is part of a €25m (US$28m) investment plan for 2015-2020.
“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 and COO of SEA.
Mark Johnstone, managing director for Signature Flight Support, EMEA, commented, “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 will raise the bar for business and general aviation handling in Italy.”
