Governor McDonnell Announces Orion Air Group to Consolidate Operations to Newport News

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Orion Air Group, one of the world’s leading operators of business aircraft, will invest $4 million to consolidate its Virginia operations in the City of Newport News. The company, headquartered in Yorktown, Virginia, outgrew its current location and will develop a hangar and office space complex at Air Commerce Park located at the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport. The project will include retention of 57 jobs in York County and Newport News and create 51 new jobs within the next 12 months with an average annual salary of $81,569.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell commented, “The aviation industry in Virginia is thriving, especially in the Hampton Roads area. It is noteworthy that Orion Air Group’s recent contracts resulted in outgrowing the company’s current Virginia location. Keeping the company and those 57 jobs in the Commonwealth was our goal, and I am pleased that Newport News offered the infrastructure that Orion needed. In addition, 51 new positions will be created as a result of the consolidation and expansion, paying above-average salaries.”

Orion Air Group is a privately owned aviation services firm. The Company provides a full range of value-added services for government and commercial clients on a worldwide basis. The company’s business lines include aircraft charter and management, sales and leasing, aviation insurance and financial services, and maintenance and modifications. 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 U.S. and abroad while employing more than 100 aviation professionals.

"The Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport offers a business and operating environment that is extremely conducive to the continued growth of our company," said Scott Terry, Orion Air Group's President. "The airport's proximity to our government customer base and the availability of well-trained aerospace professionals who are transitioning from the numerous military aviation commands in the area are attractive features that convinced us to make a long-term investment in the community." 

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Newport News, the Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance and the Peninsula Airport Commission to secure the project for Virginia. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide training assistance through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“This exciting announcement continues the successful momentum in our business attraction and retention efforts,” said Newport News Mayor Joe S. Frank. “We are thrilled with Orion’s growth and welcome their consolidation to Newport News.”

“We are extremely pleased to have Orion Air Group relocating to the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport and building a new ‘state-of-the-art’ facility,” said Herbert H. Bateman, Jr., Chairman, Peninsula Airport Commission. “Orion will have a positive economic impact on our local community and provide high paying jobs to our citizens.”

About the Virginia Economic Development Partnership
The Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP), a marketing organization, was created by the Virginia General Assembly in 1995 to encourage, stimulate, and support the development and expansion of the economy of the Commonwealth. The Partnership is a state authority, which is governed by a 22-member Board of Directors appointed by the Governor and the Virginia General Assembly. To accomplish its objectives of promoting economic expansion within the Commonwealth, the Partnership focuses its efforts on business recruitment, expansion and international trade. VEDP has offices in Virginia, Belgium, Hong Kong, Mexico and Japan.