Signature Flight Support Antigua has been playing a pivotal role in assisting Antigua and Barbuda during the COVID-19 global pandemic. Even with the travel restrictions in place, Signature Flight Support has been able to operate on an ad-hoc basis supporting operations related to repatriation flights, receipt of medical supplies on the island, and refueling for cargo and medevac flights.
In early March, as the COVID-19 global pandemic spread within the Caribbean Region, V.C. Bird International Airport had an influx of private jet flights with tourists, homeowners, and yacht charter guests repatriating back to their national country. Signature Flight Support Antigua was also a part of handling flights with medical supplies being brought to Antigua and Barbuda provided by Sir Martin Franklin and the People’s Republic of Venezuela.
The supplies provided by Sir Martin Franklin included eight ventilators (Philips Trilogy 100), along with eight ventilator rolling stands and four extra battery packs. The donation also included more than 18,000 KN95 face masks, 15,000 three-layer surgical masks, 40 CPAP full face masks for ventilator use, plus extra tubing and vents. Signature Antigua also supported a cargo flight receiving critical medical supplies from the United Kingdom being sent to Montserrat to help strengthen their position against COVID-19.
Before the pandemic entered the Caribbean Region, the leadership team of Signature Flight Support Antigua was proactive in purchasing hand sanitizing stations, face masks, Lysol, and other cleaning supplies to ensure they were well-equipped and operating to the highest safety standards. This entailed an increased frequency of cleaning the FBO terminal and providing the proper supplies to team members such as personal hand sanitizers and face masks. The main focus has been to ensure the safety of team members and customers. The team at Signature Antigua has been continuing to perform very well ever since the pandemic impacted Antigua and Barbuda and doing everything they can to ensure their personal safety and the safety of customers. Continuing to operate was made possible with the close collaboration of the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, Department of Immigration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Special thanks are extended to Euletta Francis, Chief Executive Officer of the Antigua and Barbuda Airport Authority, and Katrina Yearwood, Chief Immigration Officer of the Department of Immigration. The continued close collaboration has enabled Signature Flight Support Antigua to ensure that approved operations were operating to the highest health and safety standards while assuring private jet customers received the highest quality of service possible. “Many of Signature Antigua’s customers have mentioned that they will return to Antigua and Barbuda once travel restrictions are relaxed due to the way the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has handled the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Cameron Singh, Area General Manager of Signature Flight Support Antigua.
Additionally, Signature Antigua recently provided a donation of medical supplies to the National Office of Disaster Service (NODS), which consisted of 2,000 face masks, 500 disposable gloves, and hand sanitizers. These items will be placed in the food packages that are being distributed within the communities of Antigua and Barbuda. Kenyatta Thomas, Assistant General Manager of Signature Flight Support Antigua, presented the supplies at NODS to Minister Samantha Marshall. “We are very grateful for the collaboration we have had from the various authorities that helped facilitate critical flights, whether it was repatriation flights, medevac flights, or cargo flights bringing supplies to Antigua and Barbuda,” says Kenyatta Thomas. Mr. Thomas further says, “We are expecting to see a huge increase in private jet flights into Antigua and Barbuda, which will help the island’s bounce back in tourism. We have been receiving a huge influx of requests with customers waiting to come back to the twin-island once the travel restrictions are relaxed. Many of these expected customers will be going to their private homes or staying at one of the elite hotel properties in Antigua and Barbuda. We will continue to ensure we are operating safely and continue the collaboration with the relevant authorities that have been helping us through this pandemic.” Signature CEO Mark Johnstone, mentioned in a Letter to Customers placed on their website, “As always, we are constantly evaluating and adapting our procedures and processes to this extraordinary situation, and continue to monitor and respond to guidance provided by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease control, and local, regional, and county authorities. Ultimately, it is our intention to remain open and operating so we can provide essential aircraft handling to the communities where we live and serve. We are committed to doing what we can to support the local and national government, medical professionals, and non-profits who are focused on taking care of those most in need. No matter the type of mission, the Signature team is here to help.”
About Signature Flight Support
Signature Flight Support is the world’s largest Fixed Base Operator (FBO) network operating with over 200 locations across the globe. Signature is focused on providing consistent, exceptional service. Signature’s worldwide network of FBOs delivers essential support services for business and private aviation, including refueling, hangarage, maintenance, repair and overhaul, and a variety of other world-class amenities with exceptional customer service. Signature has been operating in Antigua since 2014 and is part of an extensive Caribbean network, recently adding five locations with the acquisition of IAM Jet Centre.
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