A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday, July 9 on the site of Orion’s future $4.0 million combined hanger/office space complex at Air Commerce Park located at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, along with Newport News Vice Mayor Joseph Whitaker, the Peninsula Airport Commission and the Virginia Department of Aviation helped Orion Air Group break ground on their new facility.
The new complex will serve as the corporate headquarters for Orion Air Group, while providing the necessary space for expansion of the Company's "state of the art" Air Operations Center. The project will include retention of 57 jobs for the Hampton Roads region while netting 51 new jobs with an average annual salary of $81,569 within the next 12 months.
“Orion Air Group is a privately owned aviation services firm with a commitment to growing our business in Virginia. We provide a full range of value added services for government and commercial clients on a worldwide basis and are delighted to be in a position to construct our new headquarters facility in Newport News. Our business lines include aircraft charter and management, sales and leasing, aviation insurance and financial services, and maintenance and modifications. Orion is hopeful that our investment at this airport and in the community will serve as a catalyst for our customers and suppliers to consider similar projects here as well,” said Scott Terry, Orion Air Group’s President.
Orion Air Group owns and operates more than $150 million worth of corporate aircraft and is the world’s largest operator of the Bombardier Global Express business jet. The company operates from eight locations in the US and abroad while employing more than 100 aviation professionals.
“We are very pleased that Orion Air Group has decided to locate its corporate headquarters at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. This decision will help retain 57 jobs that Orion currently has in the Newport News area, and add 51 good, high paying jobs over the next 12 months. Clearly, Orion recognizes that Virginia is a great place to do business and they want to be part of the future growth that will occur on Virginia’s Peninsula. We look forward to working with them to help grow their business even more in the years to come,” stated Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.
