Signature Flight Support has announced plans to establish a business aviation handling facility at Toulon-Hyeres in the South of France. Phase one of the project, providing a temporary building structure, will begin in early 2003 including private parking and independent road access. Phase two will include the building of a 2,800 metres squared hangar and office facility.

The company has the backing of the airport’s owner, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), which has already invested millions in expanding the airport and aeronautic infrastructure to attract both commercial and business aircraft. CCI President, Bernard Lecat, said: “We want to attract business customers. The airport has the potential for two million passengers, but currently only caters for one million. We have provided considerable investment for the airport and I am convinced we have a long term future with Signature.”

Toulon-Hyeres airport is situated equidistant between Nice and Marseilles and after Paris Le Bourget, the Cote d'Azur reportedly attracts the most business aviation traffic in France. Jonathan Soper, md of Signature Flight Support, Europe, said: “The airport has a great capacity for growth and there are no congestion or slot problems with the two runways. There are also no restrictions on the size of business aircraft allowed to fly in and out.

Paul Whitehead, chief executive of BBA Aviation Europe, added: “For some time we have been evaluating further opportunities for expansion in France and other parts of Europe and this development at Toulon-Hyeres will be a welcome addition to our network. With the South of France being particularly popular for business aviation traffic, this facility is strategically aimed at those operators who are commonly facing restrictions at the established bases in the region.”

Meanwhile, Signature's London Luton division has received final planning approval for a new facility which will provide 7,100 square metres of hangar space and 1,500 square metres of office space. Soper explained: “The area behind our present facilities became available and it was just too good an opportunity to miss. We will now be able to accommodate up to six Boeing Business Jet sized aircraft at a time.

“The hangar itself will require around five million pounds of investment and the whole project should be completed within 12 months of July.”

Director of flight support services, Trevor King, added: “Luton is quite congested, so it was important to have more space.”