A new player in the FBO arena has made its debut here at NBAA 2013. Earlier this month, Quintessentially Aviation (QA) Handling announced it began ground-handling operations at Ireland’s Shannon Airport.

A division of global concierge and luxury lifestyle group Quintessentially, the location’s first customer was a Bombardier Global Express. “This is exactly the type of aircraft that we expect will regularly use our facilities,” said managing director Brendan McQuaid. “We anticipate that, with originating [locations] most likely to be Russia, the Middle East and the U.S., heavy jets from multinational corporations will be regulars on our ramp. We intend to provide them with a service that ensures they return to us.”

Shannon, with its nearly 10,500-foot runway (the second longest in Europe), is the only location outside of the Americas that can provide U.S. customs and immigration preclearance for business aviation and turnarounds of less than an hour, making it a good starting point for passengers needing to enter the U.S. quickly. “We anticipate that 90 percent of our clientele will be transatlantic clients wishing to maximize the ease of clearance opportunities at the airport,” said McQuaid.

While the company is currently providing only ground services, a 1,750-sq-ft terminal expected to be completed by the end of the year is to include a passenger lounge, crew rest area with showers and flight-planning capabilities, Wi-Fi, satellite TV and crew transport. QA is a member of World Fuel’s Air Elite network of independent FBOs, and crews are eligible for quadruple FlyBuy loyalty points on fuel purchases.

The company suggests that this location could be but the first in a branded chain of QA FBOs that can provide customers with the full range of services before, during and after flights provided from 60 international Quintessentially concierge offices. “Obviously we have to prove that we can provide this unique service,” McQuaid said, “but our strategy is to explore the options for a fully independent network of FBOs at strategic points around the globe.” Show attendees are invited to visit QA at the World Fuel Services booth (No. C8509).