Google's Shiny New $82 Million Airport Terminal In Silicon Valley

 

Interior rendering for Google's new FBO in Silicon Valley. Source: San José International Airport

 

A few years ago I taxied past a hangar at San Carlos airport. The door was open to the immaculate interior and I could see an array of jets and aerobatic light aircraft. My instructor said it was Larry Ellison’s private plane collection. Not for nothing is the airport known to IATA as SQL, after Oracle ORCL -0.55%’s database language. From my little Diamond Katana, I looked on in envy.
Now Google GOOG +1.18% executives are putting Oracle in the shade, at least when it comes to impressive aviation facilities. According to TechCrunch, Larry Page, Sergey Brin and Eric Schmidt have eight private jets between them. Including a converted 767 dubbed the ‘party plane’.

Airside artist's mockup showing private jets outside the new terminal. Source: San José International Airport

 

Now they have gone into partnership with Signature Flight Support to build an $82 million fixed base operation at San José International Airport, including an executive terminal, seven hangars (five for Google, apparently), ramp space for converted airliners and servicing facilities.

Beats fighting the crowds at the regular terminal - pull up at the new FBO. Source: San José International Airport

 

The project will generate around 150-200 construction jobs and 36 permanent on-airport jobs plus hundreds more off-airport. But for Google executives and other Silicon Valley bigwigs, it’ll be an elegant and efficient way to start their journeys.