TAC Air to Buy Supermarine FBO at Clinton National Airport

By Lance Turner, July 15, 2014, Arkansas Business

TAC Air said Tuesday that it has agreed to purchase the assets of Supermarine of Little Rock LLC’s fixed-base operation at Clinton National Airport in Little Rock.

Terms of the deal, including a purchase price, were not disclosed. The companies expect the deal to close in August.

The move will expand TAC Air’s FBO network to 14 locations, including properties in Fort Smith and Texarkana. TAC Air, founded in 1986, is owned by the Truman Arnold Cos. of Dallas.

In a news release, TAC Air said the its Little Rock FBO will offer "a wide range of aviation support services, including fueling, hangar space, and ground handling."

"We’re extremely excited to be bringing our quick turns, competitive prices and award-winning service to Little Rock," Christian Sasfai, vice president and COO for TAC Air, said.

Supermarine opened in 2007 on the site of the former Omni Air of Tulsa. The Stephens family purchased Omni in 2005, originally planning to operate the FBO strictly for its own corporate needs.

But after being encouraged by the city’s airport commission to operate a larger facility, Stephens brought in American Airports Corp. of Santa Monica, California, a privately held aviation airport management company, as the majority owner and operator. Stephens retained a 10 percent stake.

The Little Rock FBO has been the only American Airports property outside California.