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(Long Beach, Calif., May 21, 2015) – Aeroplex/Aerolease Group—a leading aviation property development, management and consulting firm—announces successful management of a project to establish a new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) on behalf of Signature Flight Support (Signature).

Under a five-year agreement with Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Signature invested approximately $225,000 to construct a 1,528 square-foot dedicated clearance facility according to federal standards at its VNY leasehold. As project manager, Aeroplex/Aerolease Group effectively handled all inter-organizational agreements and coordination; contractor bid, contract award and work activities; and overall construction planning, scheduling and execution.

“Aeroplex/Aerolease Group worked in partnership with Signature Flight Support, LAWA and CBP to fast-track construction, approval, completion, testing and staffing of the new Federal Inspections Services facility according to standard,” said Aeroplex/Aerolease Group President and CEO Curt Castagna. “This is a perfect example of how industry and government can work together to implement services that will benefit users of business aviation and fuel the local economy.”

Effective May 21, 2015, clearance services are available at VNY under the federal User Fee Airport Program, which reimburses CBP for all operating costs with fees collected from arriving aircraft. VNY, one of the world’s busiest general aviation airports, had been without CBP officers since 2007 when on-call clearance services were suspended at all airports in the Los Angeles Basin other than Los Angeles International Airport.

The dedicated CBP facility features interview and inspection rooms, office space, an information technology/LAN room, and state-of-the-art access control and alarm systems.

Castagna, who spearheaded a six-year effort to reestablish clearance services in his role as president of the Van Nuys Airport Association, said the new CBP facility will benefit both international travelers and the environment.

“Travelers entering the U.S. from abroad can now fly directly to VNY without stopping at another airport to clear customs,” said Castagna. “In addition to saving passengers time and money, the service will help reduce emissions from repositioning flights and decrease overall operations within Southern California’s congested airspace.

About Aeroplex/Aeroplease Group Aeroplex/Aerolease Group is an aviation property management and consulting company with three of Southern California’s most prestigious leaseholds at the Van Nuys and Long Beach Airports. Its services include aviation and industrial facility design, construction and business development, lease negotiation and management, airport consulting and contract management, and community and governmental affairs.

For more information, visit www.aeroplex.net.

# # # Media Contact:

Cindy Goodfellow Aeroplex/Aerolease Group (562) 981-2659 or goodfellow@aeroplex.net