As an ABACE attendee and exhibitor for the past six years, Tony Marlow, vice president of aviation operations and business development with U.S. FBO operator Castle & Cooke Aviation (Booth P531), has seen a great change in the level of showgoers’ business aviation understanding. Back in 2011, he spent much of his time at Hongqiao explaining the function of an FBO—or fixed based operation—to members of China’s fledgling business aviation industry.
“Today there is much more awareness of what an FBO is, what it does, and what service it can provide,” he said. Back then, Marlow recalls, he mainly described the services at the company’s Honolulu, Hawaii location, which offers a friendly oasis in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, ideal for quick refueling service along with U.S. Customs, immigration and agricultural clearance as well as international trash disposal. Large-cabin aircraft can be processed and depart in approximately half an hour, according to Marlow.
At its Hawaii facility, which is one of three service providers at Honolulu International Airport, Marlow has noted a recent increase in flights from Asia. “I would say that over the course of the year, we’ve probably seen about a 30 percent increase in flights from the region through our FBO. Whether the traffic has increased or we’ve just gained a little bit of the market share, that I don’t know for sure. But for us, we’re seeing more frequent flights.” Either way, he attributes much of that increase in aircraft activity from China, Australia, Japan and Indonesia to his company’s participation in ABACE and the ability to meet directly with customers from the region. To cope with increasing activity, the company recently added two additional customer service representatives and two more full-time line service technicians to its staff.
Yet with the advent of U.S. Customs service two years ago at Los Angeles-area Van Nuys Airport, where Castle & Cooke operates one of its two mainland FBOs, non-stop flights using ultra-long-range business jets now have the option of avoiding the congestion at Los Angeles International. Marlow has also seen increases in flights arriving from the Asia Pacific region at Van Nuys.
Once customers clear customs, immigration and quarantine at the airport’s facility, which is attached to the Signature Flight Support FBO, their aircraft are moved to the Castle & Cooke campus. It recently underwent at $12 million upgrade with the addition of a new 3,716-square-meter (40,000-sq-ft) hangar, a 139-sq-m (1,500-sq-ft) transient passenger lounge and two acres of ramp space.
In addition to its standard level of upscale amenities, the FBO also offers a VIP facility known as “7501,” which includes its own gate entrance and dedicated ramp space directly off the taxiway. The private building includes a large conference room, reception desk, cocktail bar, fully functional kitchen with industrial refrigerators, and lounge areas for large or small groups.
The company’s third FBO is located in Everett, Washington, at Snohomish County Airport/Paine Field. It offers a U.S. entry port into the Seattle area, with U.S. Customs, immigration and agriculture inspection services. The location can handle virtually any aircraft up to a Boeing 747.
One recent change by the company is the selection of Avfuel as its fuel provider in all three of its locations. “For Hawaii in particular and the Asia market, their contract fuel program is very important,” Marlow told AIN, adding that he looks forward to participating in the Michigan-based fuel supplier’s marketing opportunities. The Honolulu facility was also recently named the Corporate Aircraft Association’s preferred location at the airport, and can now participate in that organization’s contract fuel pricing program for members.
