New business jet apron development for London Luton Airport
Fjori provided full project management, safety management, cost management, and design services to the world’s largest FBO operator, Signature Flight Support, in order to develop a new apron attaching onto London Luton Airport’s principal taxiway. In March 2015 this new facility was handed over to the client on time and within budget.
- Signature Flight Support (London Luton Airport)
- Fjori Ltd
- Luton, UK
- 2014-15
- Planning submission design
- Project management
- Contract administration
- Full detailed design
- Site supervision
- CAA compliance
- Airport liaison
- Payment certifications and final account
- The project required the diversion of multiple main utilities. Project risks during construction were minimised through pre-construction diversions which ensured that the programme was maintained.
- The apron design included a full waste recycling programme, including the reuse of demolition aggregates within the apron foundation. The approach to recycling resulted in the project being awarded a national Green Apple award for environmental sustainability.
- Fjori actively managed the delivery programme in order to continuously review the critical path items. As these changed, works items were developed with the contractor in order to find ways of reducing or eliminating the effects on the programme. This led to the project being delivered on time despite having to construct through the winter.
- Use of the NEC form of contract was introduced to the client by Fjori - its success has meant that this client has continued to adopt this form of contract on other projects.
Planning permission was successfully secured in June 2014 to demolish a hangar at London Luton Airport and construct a 6,000m2 concrete aircraft apron in its place to maintain aircraft parking capacity for business jets. The project incorporates a GSE maintenance facility. The new apron has capability to accommodate up to Code D size aircraft. Fjori has managed the planning application process, including assembling planning materials. In addition, the company has carried out all approvals with the airport company, London Luton Airport Operations Limited, including full assistance with the UK CAA CAP791 compliance process.
The client chose Fjori for this project due to its familiarity with the airport and its operational procedures and constraints. Fjori has carried out a number of projects at the airport in recent years including hangars, a new taxiway, car parking, FBO planning, and as one of three consultants responsible for the new airfield masterplan.
On this project, Fjori introduced the NEC3 contract form and administered all early warnings, compensation events, project manager instructions, and contractor valuations of works completed. During the project feasibility and business case stages, Fjori carried out all budget estimation, drawing on cost rates assembled from multiple historical projects. The construction duration was 6 months, completed on time and under budget.