Rapidly expanding FBO chain Modern Aviation has begun construction of a $17 million hangar complex at Puerto Rico’s Fernando Luis Ribas Dominicci/Isla Grande Airport. Attending a groundbreaking ceremony late last week were Pedro Pierluisi, the island’s governor; Joel Pizá-Batiz, executive director of the Puerto Rico Airports Authority; and other local officials.
The project includes a pair of 24,000-sq-ft hangars that are designed to withstand extreme weather such as hurricanes and even earthquakes with a geo-pier foundation system. They will be in addition to the location's existing 87,000 sq ft of hangar space, which can accommodate aircraft up to a Bombardier Challenger 350 or Gulfstream G280.
Modern Aviation expects the first of the hangars to be completed by the end of this year, with the second to follow in the first quarter of 2024. They will be the first hangars at the airport able to hold heavy business jets, which have previously had to remain on the ramp, said Modern CEO Mark Carmen.
Backed by private equity fund Tiger Infrastructure Partners, the company acquired the location—the lone FBO on the field—at the end of 2021.
