Flexjet opens Farnborough FBO, first in Europe
Flexjet officially opened its new private terminal, and first in Europe, on Thursday at Farnborough Airport, UK.
The 2,098sqm (22,580sqft)terminal cost $34m to build. It is situated in a new ramp side building separate to the airport’s existing main terminal.
Flexjet said the facility offers a more personal ‘home from home’ environment for Flexjet’s clients compared with traditional FBO terminal or lounge services at airports. The opening adds to the company’s network of nine private terminals in the US already open or in development.
Kenn Ricci, Flexjet chairman said: “This opening establishes one of the most significant branded luxury environments in private aviation and is a defining moment in Flexjet’s global expansion. It is our most ambitious infrastructure completion to date, beyond our North American headquarters.
“A Flexjet flight is already an unrivalled experience, with world-class aircraft, truly artisan interiors and five-star cabin hospitality that raise the bar in our industry. But this remarkable facility is a testament to how aircraft ownership with Flexjet extends far beyond the cabin, unlocking a lifestyle defined by exceptional convenience, effortless access and enriching experiences the world over.”
The facility includes 138 solar panels forecast to generate approximately 37,848 kWh/annum.
Speaking to Corporate Jet Investor, Michael Silvestro, Flexjet CEO said the shift toward this kind of investment reflects a deliberate brand strategy rather than a reaction to competitors. “What you see here is truly authentic – we’re not trying to be social, we just are. It was not easy, but it was an extension of who we are and what we wanted to take the business [in]. Simultaneously, it was a way to distinguish us from everybody else,” he told us.
The facility includes the Flexjet Gulfstream G700 Fuselage Lounge; a full-size recreation of the company’s flagship ultra-long-range cabin; the Owners Bar & Lounge, situated in the centre of the terminal. A bespoke sculpture ‘Aero’, by British Canadian artist, David Spriggs; private meeting spaces; dedicated security screening and immigration, provided by Farnborough Airport; a Tactical Control Centre and European headquarters for Flexjet’s operations and support staff on the upper floor; and an expanded Red Label Academy, a finishing school-style training centre for Flexjet’s cabin servers.
Flexjet said environmental considerations were included during construction, such as 138 solar panels forecast to generate approximately 37,848 kWh/annum, and a syphonic drainage system which collects and recycles rainwater to be re-used internally.
New terminal building aside, Flexjet has also recently opened a new 3530sqm (37,996sqft) MRO hangar facility at Farnborough Airport.
Silvestro linked the hangar investment to a broader service philosophy. “Nobody has the infrastructure to refurb and to maintain planes like we do… that’s the unsung hero of our strategy,” he said. “It doesn’t do you any good to have an airplane if you can’t keep it flying.”
