Signature Flight Support has acquired FBO network Execair for £11.75m on a cash and debt free basis. As a result, the company’s European network has increased from four facilities to 14.

President and ceo Elizabeth Haskins told EBAN: “We are always looking for opportunities throughout the world to grow the Signature network. Execair had a quality network of locations with good people and a high level of customer service, so it was very attractive when it came available.”

Execair reported operating profits of £0.7m on a turnover of £7.9m at the end of last year, figures Signature will aim to increase by the end of the first full year of operating the FBOs.

The acquisition is indicative of the company’s interest in the European market and will enable it to increase the presence and profile of the Signature brand, which is well-established in the US (with 43 FBOs).

“We have had an immense interest in Europe for some time now; we’ve been at Le Bourget and Luton for some years and were looking to add to that network,” said Haskins. “We have four locations throughout Europe and these 10 new locations really compliment our existing FBOs.”

Along with Luton, Southampton, Le Bourget and Toulon, Signature’s network now includes Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen, Dublin, Cardiff, Birmingham, East Midlands, Bournemouth and Charleroi.

“Any time that we go into a location, we look at what they’re doing right and try to continue that as well as look for any continuous improvements that we can create inside those locations. We do have name recognition throughout the world and I believe that will help us gain market share.”

The former staff of Execair have been taken on board by Signature, which aims to maintain the standards of service previously offered at the FBOs.

“It’s very important to us that we keep the people who built the business,” said Haskins.

“Clients can expect to continue to see the high levels of service they received from Execair and the amenities that Signature are known for. I think it’s positive for both the employees and the customers.”