Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based W Aviation has taken over operations at the lone FBO at Aruba’s Queen Beatrix International Airport, at the conclusion of Universal Aviation’s 12-year lease on the 10-acre facility. The company, a sister to Windsor Jet Management, will commence a $1.8 million refurbishment of the 4,000-sq-ft terminal that will include an updated passenger lobby and customer service area, along with a new bistro bar, VIP passenger lounges, conference rooms, pilots' lounge, and flight-planning room.

“We are thrilled to announce our newest facility in Aruba and the continued expansion of our FBO network,” said company CEO Ignacio Martinez, adding the island is the only non-U.S. possession in the Caribbean with U.S. Customs pre-clearance. “This is a milestone for our company, as it not only gives us the opportunity to support our existing global charter fleet in the Caribbean, but also allows for us to handle all of the GA traffic on the island.”

W also operates FBOs at Fort Lauderdale’s Executive Airport and at Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar International Airport.