Million Air Adds Trio of FBOs to Network

Million Air made several announcements in conjunction with Freeman Holdings Group, the FBO chain’s largest franchisee, on the eve of the 2015 NBAA annual Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference, which starts today. The new Million Air location at Mississippi’s Stennis International Airport in Bay St. Louis recently began operations. The $7 million, newly constructed FBO, the lone provider on the field, includes a 7,500-sq-ft terminal with two lounges, a pair of pilot snooze rooms, a theater room, flight planning room and a conference room. The second floor of the building features the Jet-a-Way Café, which offers views of the more than 11-acre ramp and beyond. “It’s a wonderful airport in a great location and with excellent runways, taxiways and ramp space,” said Freeman Holdings CEO Scott Freeman. “The only thing it was missing was a first-class FBO facility.”

Due to open next month is another new Million Air facility at upstate New York’s Griffiss International Airport, where the company has been the sole FBO for the past six years. The $5.5 million building is part of major improvement program at the Oneida County-owned airport, which offers an 11,821-foot runway and 32 acres of ramp space. To further enhance the airport’s status as an international entry port, a newly built U.S. Customs facility will soon be completed.

“Its strategic location gives us an opportunity to serve our customers traveling in the Northeast along with those traveling to and from Europe,” noted Freeman. “Million Air Rome is an excellent tech stop option, with convenient quick turns and absolutely no congestion for those making the transatlantic jump.”

The FBO offers 43,000 sq ft of hangar space for based and transient aircraft, and in keeping with the spirit of its famous namesake it provides customers with cappuccino and freshly prepared cannoli from local bakeries.

In May, Freeman will be adding Los Angeles-area Riverside, Calif., to its portfolio of Million Air locations. The $9 million project at March Air Reserve Base includes a 5,000-sq-ft terminal with a large passenger lounge, theater room, flight-planning facility, multi-media conference room, training room and onsite Jet-a-Way Café. According to the company, a new 150,000-sq-ft ramp will be constructed adjoining the Air Force owned airport’s 13,300-foot runway, and space is available adjacent to the terminal for corporate hangar development.

Lastly, Freeman Group is putting the wraps on a $1.5 million overhaul of its location at Florida’s Orlando Sanford International Airport. The former Avion by Quinn FBO has a 7,500-sq-ft terminal with five renovated offices, a theater, expanded flight planning room, two private pilot lounges, conference room and redesigned lobby with increased seating areas. A newly installed café is expected to open this month. The renovation of the facility’s 25,000 sq ft of hangar space is anticipated to be competed in the second quarter.