Following a year of construction under a design-build contract with Aircraft Support Industries (ASI), Jet Aviation Singapore hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony over the weekend to celebrate operation of its new $25m USD state-of-the-art hangar facility at Seletar Aerospace Park.

With a band, acrobatic performers and lion dancers on hand to bring luck and prosperity to the new facilities, the Grand Opening was attended by over 150 people, including Guest of Honor Mr. Heah Soon Poh, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Singapore’s JTC Corporation (JTC); Mr. Tan Kong Hwee, Deputy Director, Transport Engineering, Economic Development Board (EDB) of Singapore; Rob Smith, president, Jet Aviation; Gary Dolski, vice president and general manager, Jet Aviation Singapore; and OEM representatives, staff and customers, and members of the press.

(L to R):: Gary Dolski, Vice President and General Manager, Jet Aviation Singapore; Mr. Tan Kong Hwee, Deputy Director, Transport Engineering, Economic Development Board (EDB) of Singapore; Stefan Benz, Vice President of Jet Aviation MRO and FBO Operations, EMEA & Asia; Mr. Heah Soon Poh, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Singapore’s JTC Corporation (JTC); Rob Smith, Jet Aviation President

The new 5,000 square-meter hangar, erected adjacent to the company’s existing 2,700 square-meter hangar, was built in direct response to growing demand for large, long-range business jets in the region. Now able to accommodate aircraft such as the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) and Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ), the hangar permits up to five Gulfstream G650 or five Bombardier Global Express 7000 aircraft. Its apron has direct access to the tarmac and has also been expanded by 9,300 square meters.

“We are very excited to begin serving our business aviation customers from our new state-of-the-art hangar,” said Gary Dolski, vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Singapore. “On behalf of Jet Aviation, I would like to take this opportunity to thank ASI for their hard work and commitment to our development plan. I would also like to thank Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB) and JTC Corporation (JTC) for their unwavering support of this expansion project at Seletar Aerospace Park. Without their assistance, we wouldn’t be here today.”

“This investment really underscores our commitment to meeting our customers’ requirements in Asia,” said Rob Smith, President of the Jet Aviation Group. “We look forward to working with our partners for many years to come and to serving our customers from this and the rest of our global network of facilities. Our highest priority remains the safety and security of our customers.”

Jet Aviation Basel expands services to Embraer Executive Jets customers

Jet Aviation Basel was appointed an Embraer Authorized Service Center in early 2013, approved to provide line and base maintenance to Embraer Legacy 600 and 650 aircraft. In recognition of the MRO facility’s commitment to excellence, Embraer Executive Jets is now extending its authorization for Jet Aviation Basel to increase its service portfolio to include interior and repair services.

“Expanding the scope of available services to our Embraer Executive Jets customers improves our ability to seamlessly meet their needs under one roof, while offering the added benefit of reducing aircraft downtime,” said Michael Girps, director of Embraer Maintenance Operations at Jet Aviation Basel. “Jet Aviation Basel has been in the interior completions business for almost 40 years. We have an experienced team of skilled interior specialists and broad in-house capabilities - including on-site cabinetry, upholstery, composite, sheet metal and paint shops, interior design, engineering and certification services - that are second to none. This authorization validates our ability to meet the highest quality standards.”

Embraer Legacy at JBSL

“We are pleased to expand our customer support coverage for the Legacy jets,” said Edson Carlos Mallaco, Vice President, Customer Support and Services, Embraer Executive Jets. “The augmented agreement with Jet Aviation Basel, recognized for its commitment to quality and personalized service, will further enhance our customers’ ownership experience.”

New Swiss apprenticeship program in fall 2014

Jet Aviation Basel recently received authorization from the Department of Education in the Canton of Basel to start an apprenticeship program. The program will help teach specific skills that address the company’s needs for its future workforce.

In cooperation with the Department of Education in Basel, Jet Aviation Basel is initiating this new apprenticeship program to commence in the fall semester of 2014. The company will employ upholstery and polymechanic apprentices to undertake three- and four-year apprenticeships with the company, respectively.

Under the polymechanics apprenticeship program, apprentices are required to complete two years of vocational schooling combined with on-the-job training. They will then further develop their skills working full-time at Jet Aviation Basel, with mentorship and supervision, for two more years. Additional programs currently under development will include apprenticeships for sheet metal workers, carpenters and painters. “We are very pleased to provide these development opportunities to highly motivated aviation students,” said Johannes Turzer, vice president and general manager

of maintenance at Jet Aviation Basel. “The new apprenticeship program is the next initiative in our ongoing efforts to attract young people to this industry. It will augment our well-established program with our French partners of the Lycée Jean-Mermoz in Saint-Louis, France. Our goal is to ensure we have the skilled workers that we will require in the future in order to continue meeting the highest business aviation standards.”

“In an industry where the finest and rarest materials are hand-crafted by skilled craftsmen, we have a strong interest in helping our youth learn and develop industry-specific skills from day one,” adds Neil Boyle, vice president of the Jet Aviation Basel Completions Center. “As a leading completions facility for private and executive aircraft, our upholstery apprenticeship program represents an excellent career opportunity for young artisans possessing a flair for detail and a passion for perfection.”

Dubai and Jeddah FBOs refurbished and rebranded

Jet Aviation is currently rebranding its FBO facility in Jeddah to integrate the new corporate look and feel initially launched in Geneva and Zurich last year. 

With runway construction now underway at Dubai International Airport, the company is also taking the opportunity to refurbish its Dubai FBO while all FBO, line maintenance and AOG services are being supported out of the Dubai World Central (DWC) facility.

	Renovations in Jeddah are nearly concluded and the opening of the rebranded Dubai International facility is scheduled to coincide with runway construction completion in July 2014. Jet Aviation Dubai will then resume full maintenance and FBO operations at Dubai International Airport and continue providing FBO services from DWC. “Our goal is to provide a premium customer experience,” says Monica Beusch, Jet Aviation’s head of FBO Services in EMEA & Asia. “These facility upgrades are designed to provide maximum style and
Jet Aviation's new corporate branding.
comfort through enhanced passenger amenities and customer services. The corporate branding also serves to present a unified front at Jet Aviation facilities worldwide, further assuring customers of our high quality standards and uncompromising service levels.”

Beginning with the new Boston/Bedford FBO, the global refurbishment program will be extended to the company’s U.S. operations in 2015. Passengers and crew arriving at Jet Aviation FBOs in EMEA and Asia will also soon see a change in the attire of Jet Aviation personnel, as the company introduces new uniforms designed to match those worn at its FBO facilities in the United States.