Story ID: 592SignatureNBAA12NM.doc
Signature To Offer ‘Clear’ Benefits
By: Curt Epstein
Caption: 
Word Count: 528
Signature Flight Support has chosen the venue of this year’s NBAA Convention to announce several new programs. The BBA Aviation subsidiary, which currently operates a network of more than 115 FBOs worldwide, unveiled a new partnership with secure identification provider Clear, which uses biometric data to speed travelers through airport security. The partnership gives Signature’s customers a discount on registration in the program.

While some might find it odd for a private aviation services provider to be linked with a program that caters to airline travelers, it’s just one more added benefit for Signature’s customers, according to Patrick Sniffen, the Orlando-based company’s vice president of marketing. At the company’s press conference on Monday, he said it’s not just crews that will benefit. “A lot of people in the back of the airplane are transiting through the airline terminal as well, either on an international flight or in first class, and for them time is money.” Signature is offering complimentary six-month Clear subscriptions to show attendees who register at a kiosk at the BBA Aviation booth (No. 3100) or at its FBO at Orlando International Airport. As a benefit to its customers, the FBO chain will also be installing Clear registration kiosks at its locations at several major U.S. entry ports, including Dulles International and Reagan National airports in Washington D.C. and Westchester County Airport in New York, with more to follow.

The service provider also debuted a new alliance with National Car Rental, which earlier this year was named Signature’s preferred rental car partner. Signature customers who are enrolled in National’s Emerald Club program will now earn points in Signature’s Tailwins loyalty program, set by dollars spent and mileage driven. National will match customer status in any other rental car affinity program, and Tailwins members can enroll in the Emerald Club through Signature’s website.

The chain also announced news from its Signature Select program. American Aero in Texas has joined the provider’s affiliate network. American Aero is located at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport in a historic former American Airlines terminal known as Hangar 11N. The company plans to begin construction on a modern FBO facility while simultaneously renovating the landmark terminal, which will eventually house a private flight department. Starting in November, the location, operating from a temporary facility, will offer the full range of Signature products (including Signature Tailwins and Signature Status) while maintaining its independent brand. American Aero is owned by Robert Bass, the former owner of Butler Aviation, which merged with Page Avjet in 1992 to form Signature Flight Support.

At Florida’s Daytona Beach International Airport, ATP Jet Center is now a full Signature network affiliate. Among the benefits it will receive are Signature’s proprietary safety and service training, marketing and advertising support and access to the company’s SigNet customer relations system, which provides individualized services no matter where a customer flies in the company’s network. Other Signature select locations currently undergoing transition are Jet Air Group in Green Bay, Wis. and Airside FBO Operations in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.