Hadid International Services (Booth A35) has reached an agreement with Italy's Riviera Airport S.p.A to form Riviera Executive Aviation, with the intention of developing and managing executive aviation services at the airport, including a new FBO.

“Riviera Airport, located in Villanova d’Albenga in Liguria, is the only privatized airport in Italy dedicated to general aviation. It serves the Italian Riviera and provides a discreet transit to Monaco and the French Riviera,” according to the company.

Hadid believes entering the Italian market makes sense, given the success Milan Prime is enjoying at Milan's twin gateways of Linate and Malpensa. In addition, the move marks the increasing interest of Middle East trip-support players to move into the FBO market. It is also a significant vote of confidence in the ability of Dubai-based general aviation specialists to meet the standards required by facilities with world-class ambitions.

Extending the runway from 1,500 (4,921 feet) to 1,700 meters (5,577 ft) and upgrading navigational aids will improve the airport’s ability to handle long-haul private flights. Hangarage for jets and helicopters will also improve accessibility to the facility, which was privatized in 2016. The location offers good links to the Cote d’Azur, including 20-minute access to Monte Carlo by helicopter, and is also well-positioned for Northern Italy, being around 125 km (78 miles) from Turin and 180 km (119 miles) from Milan.

“Riviera Airport has significant potential to become the foremost general aviation airport in the region. Hadid and Riviera Airport S.p.A share the vision of grand infrastructural development that will serve the region’s growing demand for general aviation, and it will ultimately benefit the local economy and community,” said Mohamad Hadid, chairman of Hadid.

Clemens Toussaint, chairman of Riviera Airport S.p.A., said, “We [will] develop this beautiful airport on the Italian coastline together with our new partner from Dubai. Hadid…will provide all future guest services at the highest professional level in the industry and will be the cornerstone to make the development of Riviera Airport a success.”

Hadid commercial director Issa Zuriqi told AIN the move did not represent a new foray into the FBO business along the lines of that being carried out by Jetex Flight Support. Rather, he said, the secure, private nature of the location was a good fit for the Hadid business model.