With a keen eye on the growth of business aviation in Latin America and corresponding growth in traffic from that region through Florida, Sheltair announced this week at the Latin American Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (LABACE) in São Paulo, Brazil, that it is expanding its facilities at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (Fla.) International Airport.

Construction is already under way on the expansion’s first phase with a new $13.6 million facility due to open early next year. It will include 134,806 sq ft of hangar and office space on more than 11 acres of land. In addition to the built-to-suit office spaces, the adjoining hangars will have a tilt-up design for maximum hangar space and concrete construction for better severe-weather protection of hangared aircraft. According to Sheltair CEO Jerry Holland, “When complete, it will be the largest general aviation complex ever constructed at this airport.”

Amenities already located at the Sheltair site include a 24-hour FBO service, U.S. Customs, direct access to the airport’s new 8,000-foot runway, on-premises dining, 24-hour office and hangar access and executive boardroom and conference room options.