Key Takeaways
- • Signature Aviation completed its acquisition of Castle & Cooke Aviation Services at Van Nuys Airport on September 15, 2026, expanding its fixed-base operator footprint in Southern California; the facility is now branded as VNY North.
- • The acquired facility comprises 210,000 square feet of hangars, 205,000 square feet of ramp space, and 45,000 square feet of offices, offering fueling, maintenance, aircraft cleaning, concierge, and crew car services for private and corporate aviation.
- • Signature Aviation, owned by a consortium of Blackstone, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Cascade (acquired for approximately $4.7 billion in 2021), now operates over 200 private aviation terminals across 27 countries.
- • Deal terms were not disclosed; legal counsel Greenberg Traurig advised the seller on the transaction.
- • The acquisition consolidates Signature's existing presence at Van Nuys Airport, one of the busiest general aviation hubs in the United States, strengthening the company's West Coast infrastructure.
Summary
Signature Aviation has completed its acquisition of Castle & Cooke Aviation Services, a fixed-base operator (FBO) at Van Nuys Airport in Southern California, as of September 15, 2026. The facility, now operating under the name VNY North, represents an expansion of Signature's existing operations at the airport and reinforces its position as a major player in the private aviation services sector.
Castle & Cooke Aviation operated a substantial infrastructure footprint at Van Nuys Airport, featuring 210,000 square feet of hangars, 205,000 square feet of ramp space, and 45,000 square feet of office facilities. The operation provided comprehensive services including aircraft fueling, storage, maintenance, cleaning, concierge services, and crew transportation. Van Nuys Airport ranks among the busiest general aviation facilities in the United States, making the location strategically valuable for FBO operators serving the private aviation market.
Signature Aviation, led by CEO Tony Lefebvre, operates a global network of over 200 private aviation terminals across 27 countries, positioning the company as a leading infrastructure provider in the international private aviation market. The company is owned by a consortium comprising investment firms Blackstone, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Cascade, which jointly acquired Signature in 2021 for approximately $4.7 billion. This acquisition of Castle & Cooke Aviation represents a continuation of Signature's strategy to consolidate and expand its footprint in key markets.
Specific transaction terms were not disclosed. Legal representation for Castle & Cooke was provided by Greenberg Traurig. The consolidation of these operations at Van Nuys—combining Signature's existing presence with the newly acquired Castle & Cooke facility under unified branding—demonstrates continued consolidation activity within the fixed-base operator sector and underscores the strategic value of premium general aviation locations in major metropolitan markets.
Castle & Cooke Aviation operated a substantial infrastructure footprint at Van Nuys Airport, featuring 210,000 square feet of hangars, 205,000 square feet of ramp space, and 45,000 square feet of office facilities. The operation provided comprehensive services including aircraft fueling, storage, maintenance, cleaning, concierge services, and crew transportation. Van Nuys Airport ranks among the busiest general aviation facilities in the United States, making the location strategically valuable for FBO operators serving the private aviation market.
Signature Aviation, led by CEO Tony Lefebvre, operates a global network of over 200 private aviation terminals across 27 countries, positioning the company as a leading infrastructure provider in the international private aviation market. The company is owned by a consortium comprising investment firms Blackstone, Global Infrastructure Partners, and Cascade, which jointly acquired Signature in 2021 for approximately $4.7 billion. This acquisition of Castle & Cooke Aviation represents a continuation of Signature's strategy to consolidate and expand its footprint in key markets.
Specific transaction terms were not disclosed. Legal representation for Castle & Cooke was provided by Greenberg Traurig. The consolidation of these operations at Van Nuys—combining Signature's existing presence with the newly acquired Castle & Cooke facility under unified branding—demonstrates continued consolidation activity within the fixed-base operator sector and underscores the strategic value of premium general aviation locations in major metropolitan markets.
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