Castle &Cooke Aviation Services Inc. of Van Nuys, Calif., plans to build hangars and offices for a world-class corporate jet charter service on Paine Field’s west side in 2008.
The company, owned by billionaire David Murdock, who owns both Castle &Cooke Inc. (C&CA) and Dole Food Company Inc., has chosen Snohomish County’s airport as the first of two sites for a national network for similar multimillion-dollar aviation facilities Murdock will be building.
The company also bought Paine Field’s Everett Jet Center, also known as Fliteline Services, a full-service fixed-base operator (FBO) providing aircraft fueling and ground services at the airport for more than 35 years. C&CA will work with the former owners to upgrade and expand the aircraft services program.
Initial construction on a 24-acre site on the airport’s west side, near the Mukilteo Speedway, will include two 40,000-square-foot hangars, a state-of-the-art customer service facility, a large transient ramp complete with de-icing capability, substantial vehicle parking and more than 20,000 square feet of world-class office space for tenants. The flight service will operate Eclipse Very Light Jets from the new facility.
“The combination of excellent services offered by Everett Jet Center and our FBO development will create the finest FBO in the Seattle area,” said Steve Friedmann, executive vice president of C&CA. “With some of the challenges at Boeing Field, Paine Field is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative in the Seattle area. As Seattle’s corporate fleet continues to grow, Paine Field will be the general aviation airport of choice for discriminating private aviation users, with sufficient land to develop both community hangars and build-to-suit opportunities.”
“The Castle &Cooke Aviation acquisition of Everett Jet Center and their plans to develop a new corporate operation are both very exciting for the airport and Snohomish County,” said Airport Director Dave Waggoner. “The planned facility is a tremendous upgrade for Paine Field and should result in a high-quality facility with experienced staff and aviation professionals. We believe their plan fits perfectly into Paine Field and our vision for the future of the airport. Everett Jet Center owners Jim Wilkinson and Terry Wilcoxson have a 30-year track record of success at Paine Field, and Castle and Cooke Aviation intends to provide capital and FBO expertise to grow the operation.”
Both Wilkinson and Wilcoxson will become part of the new C&CA operation.
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