Hawthorne Global Aviation Services FBO Expands in New Orleans (NEW), Plans for the Future

Hawthorne Global Aviation Services has acquired its second FBO and first in the Gulf Coast area. The South Carolina-based company, which has an 80-year heritage in aviation, purchased a controlling interest in the AeroPremier facility at New Orleans Lakefront Airport and has rebranded it as a Hawthorne property. The location, which completed extensive renovations earlier this year, has more than 50,000 sq. ft. of hangar space and can accommodate aircraft up to the size of a Global Express. Earlier this year, Hawthorne acquired the ExcelAire FBO at MacArthur Airport on Long Island, N.Y.

Steven Levesque, President & CEO of Hawthorne, said, “The newly renovated facility provides a first-class gateway to New Orleans and is only 15 minutes from the heart of the city.  We are pleased to have been able to add such a great facility on a major general aviation airport as our initial presence on the Gulf Coast.”

The hangars and general aviation terminal underwent extensive renovations over the last year and re-opened in February 2012.  The facilities feature state-of-the-art flight planning as well as additional hospitality and conference rooms. Hawthorne has also expanded pilot amenities to include two sleep rooms, luxurious pilot lounge, conference room, full-service catering kitchen and upgraded restrooms with private shower facilities.

Since Hurricane Isaac impacted New Orleans during the final days of August, operations at Lakefront Airport have been quickly returning to normal.    The airport reopened to VFR traffic on September 2nd, and by the evening of September 4th, runway lights and signage were illuminated once again. All navigational aids were back online by September 7th.  The three FBOs on the field suffered significant flooding damage, but Hawthorne Global was operational as soon as the airport reopened.  All repairs should be completed by the end of October 2012. 

As Hawthorne looks ahead, the FBO is gearing up for Super Bowl XLVII on February 3^rd 2013 in New Orleans.  Lakefront is the closest airport with the greatest ease of access to downtown New Orleans and the Superdome.  Hawthorne expects to showcase their first-class FBO at this event.