Swiss business aviation services company Jet Aviation has selected São Paulo's Viracopos International airport as the site of its first fixed-base operation (FBO) in Latin America.
The company is to invest $8 million in the construction of an 8,400m2 (90,400ft2) facility at the airport on ground leased from airport operator Infraero. The site will include a 4,200m2 hangar and a 1,000m2 workshop and is modelled on the company's Dubai FBO which is due to open later this year. The São Paulo FBO is set to open in the second quarter of next year and will be the one of the company's largest sites. Jet Aviation assessed sites at other São Paulo airports including Congonhas, the site of the static display for last week's Latin American Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition, and generally regarded as the city's main business aviation airport. Patrick Enz, vice-president of new business development at Jet Aviation, says the decision to instead opt for Viracopos, in Campinas, was taken due to its location close to the city's high-technology company cluster, easy access to downtown, better weather conditions and a long runway as it is expected to accommodate long-range business jets travelling between Brazil and Europe or North America. Viracopos Campinas also has no curfew or slot constraints unlike other São Paulo airports, he adds.
Jet Aviation says it aims to further expand its presence in Latin America with a Mexican site under consideration.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE/ SÃO PAULO
Source: Flight International
