The Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Signature Flight Support were hosts of the March 13th’ “Morning Schmooz” networking event at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport.
The facility includes the TWA Museum, Leader Limousine Services, and Private Chef’s Catering. Breakfast was served to attendees, tours of small commercial aircraft were provided and several great door prizes such as scale models of the TWA Connie, Air Force One and Space Shuttle Discovery were given away.
Bryan Orr, Area Director, Signature Flight Support, gave an overview of the company’s services and global operations. Signature Flight Support Corporation, a BBA Aviation company, is the world’s largest fixed-base operation (FBO) and distribution network for business aviation services. Signature services include fueling, hangar and office rentals, ground handling, aircraft maintenance, and a wide range of crew and passenger amenities at more than 100 locations and 5 countries around the globe.
Bryan was available for questions after the event and shared how Signature and the Downtown airport have an impact on the local Kansas City economy as well as business development in the region. His response to questions about economic impact below:
You mentioned Signature has over 100 locations on 5 continents at the event, what impact does this global operations/ presence have on KC?
Signature Flight Support is the world’s largest and market-leading fixed base operations (FBO) network for business and general aviation. Being a global company, Signature maintains a highly loyal customer base, which seeks its services in the markets they travel. Kansas City being centrally located in the U.S. is perfect for cross-country fuel stops and provides a great location for business meetings and conferences. Both Signature and Kansas City profit from location and a mutually beneficial relationship.
What type of impact does Signature/ Downtown airport have on the local/ regional economy?
Signature Flight Support is the largest tenant at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, supporting the local economy through services provided to business and general aviation in the form of fuel sales, hangar and office rental, hotel bookings, arranging ground transportation, catering, and other ancillary services. Signature books hundreds of hotel rooms and rental cars for its customers visiting Kansas City each year, which extends economic benefits beyond the Downtown airport and into the local community.
Specific Employment statistics or economic impact numbers you think are important?
Signature employs over 75 aviation service professionals in the Kansas City market and makes significant capital investment in maintaining and improving facilities at each of its three Kansas City locations.
Anything else you want to share to highlight Signature or why the downtown airport (and/or museum) is important to Kansas City or impacts Kansas City business (or tourism)?
The Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport is important to the Kansas City economy through its expanding the reach of local businesses in the global market. According to the National Business Aviation Association, “General aviation provides businesses the speed and flexibility required to move people efficiently and increase productivity with studies showing business aviation translates into tangible and quantifiable benefits for companies.” The Downtown airport and aviation services provided by Signature Flight Support are key to local businesses ability to utilize general aviation and grow their business.
The addition of the TWA Museum at 10 Richards Road, inside of Signature Flight supports downtown operations and has helped preserve the rich history of Kansas City aviation. Since opening in June of 2012, hundreds of visitors have passed through the museum with individuals traveling from across the country with the sole purpose of visiting the TWA Museum. Signature’s support for preserving TWA’s rich history at the Downtown airport has benefited both Kansas City and Signature’s customers. Kansas City benefits through increased tourism and Signature by providing its customers an experience unmatched by its competitors.
