broke ground on a new 9,600 square- foot addition, adjacent to the original terminal. Upon completion, slated for the spring of 2016, Monaco Air Duluth will provide nearly 14,000 square feet for passenger and air- crew amenities, office space, and conference facilities, as well as on-site U.S. Customs clearance. “Although our remodeled FBO was very nice, it was somewhat space con- strained, and we felt it was holding us back on providing the very best in customer service,” Magni explained. “When an opportunity to build a new U.S. Customs facility within the FBO presented itself, we decided it was the right time to make a significant investment in a new facility. Once completed, it will offer the very best in comfort and refinement.” The design is centered on a large open lobby and includes a two-story fireplace surrounded by multiple seating areas, with easy access to all the functional areas of the FBO. “Along with a crew lounge and flight planning room, the new build- ing will have large and small con- ference rooms, which will have an attached office for customer use,” he noted. “A fitness room, along with a locker room and shower will also be included, as well as a ca- tering preparation kitchen, and a bistro-style eating area.” Catering is supplied by the Black Woods Grill, an upscale Duluth restaurant. A concierge desk, which handles all customer requests such as hotel, restaurant and rental car reserva- tions, along with catering orders, will also be relocated to the new building. “Essentially, all of the cus- tomer services will be moved into the new facility, with the lower floor of the old building to be oc- cupied by U.S. Customs for clear- ing international flights,” he pointed out. “The entire second floor will be available for lease.” Expansion has not been limited to the terminal. Monaco Air Duluth’s currently-operated complex of six hangars, encompassing 50,000 square feet, includes two added within the past 10 years. A new hangar, capable of storing the largest business jets—up to a Bombardier Global 8000—is now in the pre- liminary planning stages, with the exact specs and completion date still being worked out. Along with the hangars, a large, shovel-ready ramp area north of the main runway is slated for additional development at some future date. “I expect the corporate fleet in Duluth will con- tinue to grow along with the city’s continued growth,” said Magni. Improvements to the facility have not been confined to brick and mortar. Over the past decade, Continued on page 41 Aviation Business Journal | 1st Quarter 2016 39
