GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE ACQUIRES BBA AVIATION AFTER-MARKET SERVICE BUSINESS IN LONDON
Acquisition of London, U.K.-based Service Center Benefits European Gulfstream Business Jet Owners and Operators
SAVANNAH, Ga., April 3, 2003 - Gulfstream Aerospace, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has acquired BBA Aviation’s aircraft maintenance service business at London Luton Airport in the United Kingdom. The airport is located approximately 35 miles north of central London. BBA will retain and continue to operate its Signature Flight Support FBO (fixed-base operation) at this location. Terms of this agreement have not been disclosed.
The first Gulfstream-owned service center to be operated outside the United States, Gulfstream’s Luton service center will continue performing service and maintenance for Signature’s customer base, including Citation, Falcon and Hawker aircraft owners in Europe and the Middle East. The facility also will provide comprehensive service for all Gulfstream aircraft – the Gulfstream G550™, G500™, G400™, G300™, G200™ and G100™, as well as the Gulfstream V®, Gulfstream IV® / IV-SP®, Gulfstream III® and the Gulfstream II®.
" We welcome the employees of Luton’s Signature service center to Gulfstream’s worldwide support network," said Larry Flynn, president, product support, Gulfstream. "Their reputation for excellent customer service is a natural fit for Gulfstream product support. The integration of our teams, networks and systems will be seamless."
Bruce Van Allen, president and CEO of BBA Aviation Services Group, said, "The sale represents a great opportunity for BBA, Gulfstream and our customers. The combination of Gulfstream’s award-winning maintenance expertise and Signature’s industry-leading flight support services will further enhance Luton’s position as Europe’s leading airport for business aviation operators and we look forward to a cooperative and successful business relationship."
U.K.-based Marshall Aerospace, a 35-year Gulfstream partner and Gulfstream-authorized warranty center, has discontinued maintenance and service on large corporate aircraft.
" Marshall provided first-class service to our customers throughout the years," said Bill Boisture, president, Gulfstream. "The Luton facility will ensure that Gulfstream aircraft owners and operators in the United Kingdom and surrounding region have access to a first-class service center that fully supports their aircraft."
Gulfstream Luton will become the sixth Gulfstream service center. The other five centers are located in Long Beach, Calif.; Dallas; Appleton, Wis.; Savannah; and Brunswick, Ga. Gulfstream service centers perform regularly scheduled maintenance, inspections, interior refurbishment, repairs, STC (supplemental type certificate) installations and warranty repairs on Gulfstream business jets.
NOTE TO EDITOR
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,300 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the mid-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G100™; the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G300™; the large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G400™; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500™ and the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550™. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales®. The company employs more than 7,400 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.
General Dynamics,headquartered in Falls Church, Va., employs approximately 56,000 people worldwide and had 2002 revenues of $13.8 billion. The company has leading market positions in land and amphibious combat systems, mission-critical information systems and technologies, shipbuilding and marine systems, and business aviation. More information about the company can be found on the World Wide Web at www.generaldynamics.com.