FBO network Signature Flight Support has agreed to purchase aviation services provider IAM Jet Centre and its affiliated companies. The addition of five new locations compliments Signature's existing FBOs in the Caribbean, and further strengthens the company's presence at over 200 airports worldwide.

The acquisition includes IAM Jet Centre locations at Barbados' Grantley Adams International airport (BGI), Maurice Bishop International airport (GND) in Grenada, Terrance B Lettsome International airport (EIS) in Tortola and Sangster International airport (MBJ) in Montego Bay, Jamaica. A further FBO under construction at Hewanorra International airport (UVF) in St Lucia, expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2019, is also included in the transaction.

Signature will also assume control of IAM Jet Centre's VIP suite services, including the Trident Suite in Barbados and the St George's Suite in Grenada. The addition of both lounges is an expansion of the Signature Elite Class programme to five airports throughout the Caribbean and United Kingdom, which provide luxury lounges and expedited passenger transfers to commercial flights via private aviation facilities, bypassing the main commercial airline terminal.

“Since it was founded in 1989 as the first dedicated full service provider for business aviation in the Caribbean, our extraordinary, committed teams have grown IAM into a respected regional network,” says IAM Jet Centre group managing director Paul Worrell. “Along with my founding partner Heather Wiltshire, I am immensely proud of our team's achievements over the past three decades. Adding our established Caribbean brand to Signature Flight Support's successful global portfolio is a natural next step for IAM, and I am confident that Signature's stewardship will provide continued and greater prosperity.”

“Signature Flight Support's purchase of IAM Jet Centre is a valuable addition to our growing network of Caribbean FBOs,” adds BBA Aviation and Signature Flight Support chief executive officer Mark Johnstone. “IAM has an established reputation for excellence in aviation passenger and ground handling throughout the region, and the addition of their five FBO locations compliments our worldwide network, our strategic expansion into additional North American markets, as well as the growth of our Signature Elite Class VIP passenger services division.”