Bob Agostino Joins L.J. Aviation 

L.J. Aviation is pleased to announce that Bob Agostino has joined the company as Vice President of Operations. Agostino, a Western Pennsylvania native, returned from Wichita, Kan., where he worked for Bombardier Aerospace as Director of Flight Operations, Bombardier Business Aircraft....

PARTNERSHIPS WITH AIRPORT LANDLORDS PAY 

By Marsha Barancik

As tenants on airport property, FBOs can partner with their landlords and reap benefits that enable them to edge out competitors, which might lease facilities from the same airport. Securing access to fuel farm tanks and inclusion in airport marketing materials are among the benefits offered to FBOs by such a partnership, according to one expert. ...

FEES, REWARDS PROGRAMS CAN BOLSTER FUEL SALES 

By Marsha Barancik

Increasing fuel sales and overall revenue for FBOs is a tricky business these days, yet FBOs can use many strategies to fight the competition. Charging operators ramp fees when they fail to purchase fuel and rolling out loyalty programs are some of the initiatives experts suggest FBOs use to compete in today's challenging market....

Highlights from ATC Reform News 

By Robert W. Poole, Jr.

Reauthorization without Reform
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV) has agreed to drop his proposal for a $25 per jet or turboprop flight under Instrument Flight Rules, caving in to pressure from general aviation groups and his opposite number on the Finance Committee (where support for status-quo tax-and-grant funding remains very strong). Resolving that impasse means the bill finally reaches the Senate floor and will likely be approved. There are still some thorny issues to resolved at the House/Senate conference committee, but it now looks likely that the long-overdue FAA reauthorization will actually be enacted this year....

Royal Aviation Kuwait & Mercury Air Group Open New Royal Terminal 

Final touches are being put on the new Royal Terminal being operated by Mercury Air Group, Inc., the U.S. based global leader in aviation services.

Mercury Air Group, Inc., the U.S.-based global leader in aviation services, has started flight operations at the Royal Terminal, Kuwait, the largest private aviation terminal in the Middle East. Located at Kuwait International Airport (KWI), the facility is owned by Royal Aviation Kuwait....

Spectra Jet Inc. Opens FBO S-Jet 

On April 24, 2008, Spectra Jet opened a new FBO at the Springfield Airport in Ohio (KSGH). Named FBO S-Jet, it offers fuel to all aircraft as well as a pilots' lounge, weather updates, ice, coffee and anything else that an aviation consumer might need....

Spectra Jet Inc. Receives FAA Authorization 

Spectra Jet Inc., located in Springfield, Ohio (KSGH), received FAA authorization to inspect, service and repair Challenger 300 and 600 series aircraft. For the past eight years, Spectra Jet focused its Certified Repair Station exclusively on all models of Learjets....

Executive Jet Charters Launches New Website 

Executive Jet Charters, a new air charter services and corporate aircraft management company, has launched its new website, www.flyejc.com. The website has been enhanced through use of Internet-based technology developed by CharterMatrix.com and offers clients the ability to check empty-leg flights nationwide and also build a charter trip for quoting....

Majestic Jet Receives FAA Part 135 Certification 

Majestic Jet, Inc., a jet charter and aircraft management company based in south Florida, received its Part 135 air carrier certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in late March and has launched its charter operations....

MMTO Aircraft Customs Clearance Procedure 

Please review the following for arrival and departure customs information at MMTO....

Shawn Mack Earns Safety Leadership Award 

Shawn Mack (center), the 2008 Safety Leader of the Year receiptent, received congratulations from Missy Zingsheim and Karen Reinhardt from Ground Support Worldwide, as well as Bill Garghill, Banyan's Director of Customer Support and Don Campion, Banyan's President.

Shawn Mack, Banyan’s line service Director of Training, was recognized with the 2008 Safety Leader of the Year Award from Ground Support Worldwide Magazine at the Aviation Industry Expo in Dallas, Texas. “I am honored to receive the 2008 Safety Award and accept it on not only on my behalf, but also on behalf of every teammate at Banyan,” Mack said. He also said the award would not have been possible without the inspiration and leadership from the Banyan management as well as the commitment and hard work displayed by every teammate at Banyan....

PlaneQuest.com Now Free 

Planequest.com is now free. ...

Register to attend the Inmarsat Aeronautical Conference 2008 

The conference begins the evening of Tuesday, May 27, and continues through Friday, May 30. Please see below for a full itinerary. To register, click HERE. For special hotel rates at the Hilton, click HERE...

VIRGIN CHARTER LAUNCHES SELF-BOOKING SYSTEM 

By Marsha Barancik

General aviation forecasters might need to add a new growth category to future industry coverage - self-booking tools. Several new online marketplaces that match fliers with charter aircraft seats launched in 2007. Virgin Charter joined the mix last month. Players already in this niche include privatejets.com, taxijets.com, jets.com, OneSky Jets and Jets International. Their services differ....

OBJECTIVITY HELPS SECURE FLEXIBLE FBO LEASES  

By Marsha Barancik

Most FBO owners and managers in the United States say modernizing FBO facilities is a goal that is beyond their reach. Although glossy, even high-tech, FBOs are springing up worldwide — such as the new 35,000-square-foot facility and 64,500 square feet of GA hangar space being developed in Beijing — the risks posed by investing in improvements on property leased by municipalities in the United States seem to outweigh the rewards....