Signature Flight Support Forms Joint Venture With Italy’s Sea Prime, Adds Italy to Growing Network

Signature Flight Support continues to gather momentum in Europe by expanding into its newest region through the acquisition of a 60% share of Prime Aviation Services S.p.A. from SEA Prime S.p.A, who will remain a 40% shareholder. SEA Prime S.p.A. is 100% owned by SEA S.p.A., the airport manager of Milan Linate and Milan Malpensa.

The newly-refurbished FBO in Milan-Linate (LIML/LIN) and satellite stations in Milan-Malpensa (LIMC/MXP), Rome-Ciampino (LIRA/CIA) and Venice Marco-Polo (LIPZ/VCE) add four locations to Signature’s European network now totaling 31 FBOs in EMEA and 199 globally. Signature Flight Support’s European network is represented in 9 of the top 25 European airports in terms of business and general aviation activity. The FBOs will be fully-branded Signature Flight Support locations.

The operation in Milan-Linate (LIN) offers VIP passenger handling, with exquisite lounge accommodations, customs and immigration assistance, ground transportation, hotel and conference coordination and VIP security services as well as fuel services. For crew, the exclusive crew lounge area offers a quiet and comfortable rest area. Weather briefings, flight planning assistance, NOTAM information, slot coordination, crew ground transportation and hotel accommodations are standard amenities for crew. Flight support services include, catering, laundry services, aircraft cleaning, and maintenance support. Ground handling, VIP lounges and fuel services are offered in Rome-Ciampino (LIRA/CIA) and Venice Marco-Polo (LIPZ/VCE) airports.

The partnership has been formed one year after the relaunch of business aviation by SEA S.p.A. at Milan Linate, the first business aviation airport in Italy with over 22,000 movements per annum. In particular, the relaunch has seen the refurbishment of the General Aviation Terminal in 2015 and is part of investments in excess of 25 million Euros beginning in 2015 through 2020.

“These investments are a strong sign of our commitment and we believe that this important agreement with Signature Flight Support, the largest player in the industry, will be instrumental not only in accelerating the expected growth at our airports, but also in generating new opportunities and international synergies. 2015 marked a turning point for SEA Prime, which saw revenues and profit growth. Today we open a new chapter in which, by combining our assets, and the leadership of our partners, we foresee a new and important role for Italy in the business aviation sector," said Giulio De Metrio, Chairman of SEA Prime S.p.A. and COO of SEA S.p.A..

“Prime Aviation Services is a significant addition to the Signature Flight Support network providing our customers premier choices for flight support service at four of Italy’s top airports.  We are proud to add them to the Signature family and will immediately offer our customers visiting our newest region with Signature’s world-class customer experience and benefits.  We are confident that this partnership with SEA Prime S.p.A. will raise the bar for business and general aviation handling in Italy,” commented Mark Johnstone, Managing Director for Signature Flight Support, EMEA.