Signature Flight Support has agreed to purchase a majority share of Starlink Aviation Inc’s fixed-base operation (FBO) in Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
The acquisition, announced today, is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2013. Starlink Aviation will continue to fully own and operate the real estate and aircraft management, aircraft maintenance, corporate shuttle and aircraft charter services.
In 2010, Starlink Aviation entered into a licensing agreement with Signature Flight Support whereby the FBO became co-branded as Signature Flight Support. As a Signature network location, Starlink Aviation was able to access Signature’s global sales and marketing programs, the Signature Status loyalty program, proprietary customer service and safety training as well as Signature’s global purchasing power.
Zoran Bratuljevic, President of Starlink Aviation said: “Our decision to initially co-brand as Signature Flight Support as a licensee has proven to be an excellent choice.
“The Signature brand along with all of the proprietary systems, sales, marketing and training support has strengthened our business and our customers have enjoyed the benefits of the Signature Flight Support network while visiting Montréal.
“Our confidence in the Signature brand has led us to become a joint venture partner and we believe that our business will continue to grow and set benchmarks in the Canadian business and general aviation industry for years to come.”
Maria Sastre, President and Chief Operating Officer for Signature Flight Support, noted: “We are delighted to have acquired a majority stake in Starlink Aviation/Signature Montréal as we continue our growth throughout Canada.
“We look forward to our customers continuing to receive the exceptional service from the first-rate Signature Montréal team that has led to the FBO being voted as the Best Canadian FBO by the readers of Wings Magazine for the past two years.
“We view the success of this relationship as a model for other FBOs around the globe who may be interested in a licensing agreement or in becoming a Signature Select member location.”
The Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (CYUL) is located in the city of Dorval, on the Island of Montréal, 20km (12 miles) from Montréal’s downtown core. It is the main international airport serving Greater Montréal (Québec, Canada) along with the regions of northern Vermont and New York.
Signature Flight Support Corporation, a BBA Aviation company, is the world’s largest 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 100 locations in the United States, Europe, South America, Africa and Asia. For more information, please visit: www.signatureflight.com