Signature Aviation formally opened its ‘newest’ FBO at Birmingham Airport last week, grey skies and heavy rain failing to dampen its team’s spirits.  The Worshipful Major of Solihull Councillor Ken Meeson cut the ribbon on the brand new facility, along with John-Angus Smith, Managing Director for Signature EMEA, Daniel Myles, Area Director UK Regions, Ireland and South Africa  and Emma Woodcraft, General  Manager for Birmingham, in front of invited operator and charter broker guests.

 BBGA Managing Director Lindsey Oliver attended with Association Board members Alison Chambers and Neil Harvey from Hunt and Palmer, who was accompanied by the UK brokerage’s newest recruit Callum Hathaway on his second day at the firm.

Birmingham Airport sits in Solihull, home to the NEC Exhibition Centre and Land Rover, the city’s largest employer.  Birmingham, which recently hosted the Commonwealth Games and  Conservative Party’s annual conference, is the UK’s second largest city.   It is the West Midlands’ largest geographical area, embracing seven metropolitan authorities, but it has the smallest population, noted Cllr. Ken Meeson, adding 65% of Solihull is green belt land.  “It is growing in importance,” he highlighted, citing that Birmingham will be the first stop after London on the new HS2.  Its main M42 motorway links with every part of the country.  “This area is being developed around the area around HS2 as UK Central,” he added.  “We will see a lot more businesses coming into Birmingham, generating more demand for private aviation to help companies develop here.”

Birmingham is not a brand-new location for Signature.  It was originally operating out of the Elmdon building, the 1930’s-built original passenger terminal.

In winter 2018 a burst pipe flooded the ground floor of the building, rendering it inhabitable and Signature had to move out.  Its team had to be temporarily located landside in Hangar 2, behind its new FBO landside/airside facility.  Signature was forced to delay the commencement of Project New Build owing to the pandemic, but with thanks to the support of the airport and a “terrific” Signature team – Paul Heron, Joe Mills, Jeremy Webster, Reg Mills and Timothy Cadwallader, it pushed ahead with the new facility.  Daniel Myles thanked Matt Ingram from Birmingham Airport for helping to steer the project; Faithful and Gould – external project managers;  Hi Furniture and OB&B for outstanding furniture quality; Benchmark for interior fitting and Ryebridge Construction for work on the adjacent car park.  Lucy Lonergan, Project Business Development Manager for Signature, was also heavily involved in the FBO’s interior.

“The result is a terrific addition to our EMEA regional portfolio,” said Daniel Myles, its attractive art deco style interior inspired by the originality of Elmdon.

“This facility re-establishes our Birmingham operation as a key part of our network of 226 global locations and the opening solidifies our ongoing commitment to our customers and to Birmingham Airport as we look to the future,” said John-Angus Smith. “We are thankful for the support of Birmingham Airport Ltd in helping to re-establish Signature’s presence at the airport.”

For more information, visit signatureflight.com/bhx.