BBA Group has added London Heathrow to its growing list of European Signature Flight Support fixed-base operations (FBO) after acquiring ground handling provider Executive Aircraft Services (EAS).
BBA bought EAS last week from current owner Group 4 Securicor for a total of £4.5 million ($8 million) in cash and debt assumption. BBA chief executive Roy McGlone says the business is profitable and will make a good return on investment within the first year.
Heathrow handles head of state traffic mainly from Europe and the Middle East, and as such will complement not compete with Signature's Luton FBO, he says.
BBA has set expansion of Signature in Europe as a strategic goal. The company has added sites in Greece, Ireland and the UK to take its total to 18 from five.
BBA also acquired handling and refueling company Airport Group International last week for $24 million and will merge its operations into ASIG, BBA's commercial aviation services division.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
