New fixed based operations general aviation terminal opening soon
The sound of saws and hammers resound as workers put the finishing touches on the new 14,000 square foot Fixed Based Operations (FBO) general aviation terminal at Aruba’s Reina Beatrix International Airport.
Complete with customs and immigration services, a pilot’s lounge, VIP room, duty free store, cafeteria, and a hanger for Leer jets, the $1.2 million dollar private investment is designed to cater to the needs of the jet set.
Being a safe and secure location, conveniently located en-route between the U.S. and Latin America, Aruba is a logical stop-over point for refueling.
Universal Weather and Aviation Inc., out of Houston, a leader in the aviation industry, Universal Aviation Aruba, N.V., and a private Venezuelan investor, formed a partnership to build the FBO and were awarded the contract to start construction after two years of bidding. Construction of the facility began in March, 2006.
Claudio Stamper, general manager of Universal Aviation Aruba, N.V., is the local partner in charge of the project. "This investment will make it easier for private corporate jets to come and will bring more of that type of movement to Aruba. The market is changing and Aruba is getting prepared. Once the building is completed, more people will look toward Aruba and will want to come. We are known for our service," he said, noting also that he wants to draw more business from Europe and the Middle East.
With its linkage to Universal Weather and Aviation Inc., Aruba’s FBO will quickly receive worldwide exposure. "Any marketing done for the station is done for us also. We are the model that Universal is using for future projects," stated Stamper.
"Right now, people feel more secure flying in their own planes than flying commercially and that is why we will see more flow," he explained. "There are many islands out there, but what makes the difference is how the people treat you. Knowing the service and what customers want is essential," he added.
In 2005, Aruba received 3,600 private and corporate jet passengers from April to December. By September of 2006, the island had surpassed that number, Stamper noted.
He and his partners are currently working on additional ways to increase traffic to Aruba. Because the influx of mega yacht traffic in the region is significant, they are working with the marinas and the government to facilitate movement so that the mega yacht travelers could easily transfer to their private planes and vice versa.
In addition to his role as a local partner for Universal Weather and Aviation, Stamper owns his own jet maintenance company, Jet International. Working on line maintenance for airlines like United, Jet Blue and others, his company can do everything except change a jet engine.
He and his company will be operating the hanger at the FBO. He hopes to attract additional business to Aruba by investing $300,000-$500,000 dollars in specialized equipment to do heavier maintenance operations.
Stamper explained that when airplanes from the U.S. land in Venezuela for maintenance, they pay two to three times the price for services. "I would like attract just five to ten percent of those customers to Aruba." While he noted that such a project would require importing technicians initially, eventually, it would provide alternative employment opportunities for Arubans.
