With the opening of the new Milano Prime general aviation terminal at Italy’s Milan-Malpensa Airport last week, Signature Flight Support has begun operations from its crew and passenger lounge within the modern 15,000-sq-ft facility. The first purpose-built structure for business aviation at the airport, it took 18 months to complete at a cost of $4.65 million.

Malpensa is expected to receive the majority of flights diverted from Milan-Linate Airport, which is favored by business aviation because of its proximity to the city, but which will be closed for the next three months for a runway rehabilitation project.

“The expansion of Signature’s presence at the Milan-Malpensa Airport is part of our strategy to provide comprehensive flight support solutions to business aircraft operators in Italy,” said John Angus-Smith, the company’s managing director for EMEA. “The new business and general aviation terminal at Malpensa comprehensively upgrades the experience of private aviation crews and passengers visiting the airport, and serves as an elegant gateway to Milan and the rest of Northern Italy.”

In addition to its facilities at both of Milan’s airports and in Rome, the BBA Aviation subsidiary recently announced further affiliate FBO partnerships at several other Italian destinations.