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Grande Aire acquired the National Flight Services' FBO at the Eugene F Kranz Toledo Express Airport (TOL), now expanding its presence with two on-field locations.
The purchase includes FBO equipment, including fueling and deicing equipment, and all facilities on the east end of the airport where Grande Aire will operate cargo-dedicated FBO operations. Grande Aire's latest acquisition expands its FBO operations at TOL, like at the rapidly growing corporate headquarters on the west end of the field. NFS will remain at TOL with an aviation maintenance facility to repair and inspect aircraft and Grand Aire and NFS will remain separate companies.
"We are excited to now be operating an FBO dedicated to cargo (GA-East), as well as an FBO dedicated to corporate travel (GA-West)," Grande Aire CEO and President Zach Cheema said. "With this investment, Grand Aire is able to further serve Toledo's aviation community and help drive the region's economy."
The FBO facilities include a 3,200 square foot FBO terminal with a 16,000 square foot hangar to accommodate aircraft up to a Citation Latitude. The terminal has numerous amenities and accommodations for guests, including a comfortable passenger lounge, a private space for pilots, a kitchen area with vending options and complimentary crew cars. Then FBO also includes a 5,000 square foot ground service maintenance facility and 195,000 square feet of additional ramp space. To fuel the visiting aircraft, the east end FBO features an 85,000-gallon Jet-A fuel storage tank and a 17,000-gallon 100LL Avgas fuel storage tank.
Grande Aire is transitioning the east end FBO to its own brand, forming plans to update the building's exterior, insulate the hangar and upgrade buildings to LED lighting. Additional improvements are being assessed. Grande Aire is operating out of a newly-renovated FBO at its west end corporate headquarters. The upgraded terminal features amenities like an expanded and modern snacking lounge, executive conference rooms, a crew lounge/rest area, flight and weather planning services and heated high-tail hangars. Aircraft and passenger services include GPU, air start, de-icing, lav service, catering and courtesy vehicles.
Grande Aire has had a presence at TOL since 1999 and earned a reputation for supporting the general aviation community with a wide range of amenities and services. The company is the only full-service, 24/7/365 FBO at TOL and provides fuel for all sizes of aircraft, along with cargo handling and executive services. Grande Aire is an Avfuel-branded FBO, offering benefits like competitive fuel prices with Avfuel Contract Fuel, lucrative rewards with AVTRIP and streamlined transactions by accepting the Avfuel Pro Card.