Tag: grand opening

Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company headquartered at Teterboro Airport, is pleased to announce that its new fixed-base operation at Hayward Executive Airport in Hayward, California celebrated its much-anticipated Grand Opening last week. The world-class FBO facility has been open for business since October, but the company made its official debut with a festive, holiday-themed Grand Opening gala on the evening of Thursday, December 15.
Despite a heavy downpour of rain throughout the day, more than 150 guests came out to celebrate the special occasion, including the Hayward mayor and city council, airport executives, industry colleagues, and Meridian associates from both locations. The traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony was the keystone moment of the evening, with several notable speakers welcoming Meridian Hayward to the community. Ken Forester, Meridian CEO, accepted the honor of cutting the ribbon with large ceremonial scissors provided by the Hayward Chamber of Commerce.
In keeping with the holiday spirit, the company supported the Toys for Tots gift drive and asked guests to donate a new toy for underprivileged children. Toys for Tots is a program run by the United States Marine Corps Reserve which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy them gifts for Christmas. By the end of the evening, five large boxes were filled with toys donated by generous attendees, making the drive a huge success.
The newly constructed Hayward facility features a 6,300 square foot terminal with support offices, a 30,000 square foot hangar and 3.5 acres of ramp area. The hangar can accommodate any corporate aircraft up to and including a Global Express and Gulfstream G650. Subsequent phases will add another 12,000 square feet of terminal space, provide an additional 80,000 square feet of hangar space and increase the ramp size by an additional seven acres. The facility will serve as the West Coast base for Meridian Air Charter and Meridian Aircraft Management. Aircraft maintenance support is also available.
The facility features the same services and amenities that discerning passengers and flight crews would expect to find when traveling through a Meridian FBO. Customer service and line service teams have been highly trained to move and handle aircraft and cater to the needs of customers. The terminal features an elegant main lobby, business center, conference room, pilot briefing area, pilot lounge, coffee bar, kitchen/catering area, sleep room, shower and locker room, rental cars and crew cars.
Ken Forester, CEO, had this to say, “We are extremely pleased to be able to announce the grand opening of Meridian Hayward, our new FBO. This event marks the beginning of a new chapter for our company, and we are very excited to have been able to celebrate our grand opening during the holiday season with our colleagues and friends. We hope that our guests enjoyed themselves this evening, and will carry the message to others that we are here, we are open, and we are ready to serve.”
Meridian signed a 50-year lease with Hayward Executive Airport with plans to build a full-service facility and adjoining hangar at the airport in January 2015, and broke ground for the buildings in July 2015. A great location for business and charter aircraft, Meridian Hayward is located at an airport with no curfew and, like Teterboro, is a General Aviation-specific airport, with no commercial airline traffic.