Year In Review: FBO Developments In 2024

In the first months of 2024, Reading Aviation began its tenure as the sole FBO at Reading Regional Airport/General Carl A. Spaatz Field in Reading, Pennsylvania. The FBO sports an 18,000-ft.² building, which previously housed Millenium Aviation. The facility offers 1000 ft.² of office space, an on-site restaurant and a conference room. According to the company, the facility’s hangar space can accommodate aircraft as large as a Dassault Falcon 900. Over the next year, Reading Aviation will update its facility with additional conference space, snooze rooms and office spaces.

Signature Aviation celebrated the opening of its newly built FBO facility at Key West International Airport (EYW) in South Florida. According to Signature, the facility features a new 4,500-ft.² guest terminal, 3,300 ft.² more space than its previous iteration. Signature describes the facility as “guest-forward,” citing several business and luxury amenities.

“We are delighted to see our vision for the new Signature Key West come to life in a way that pays tribute to such a vibrant community,” said Signature Aviation CEO Tony Lefebvre. “The design, amenities and expanded space will create the perfect environment for our team members to deliver a warm and inviting experience for every guest.”

APP Jet Center’s new FBO at Treasure Coast International Airport in Fort Pierce, Florida, is currently under construction and will include a 20,000-ft.² hangar to suit its charter and MRO operations. The facility will also include 3,000 ft.² of office and shop space and a private parking lot. According to the company, the facility is also undergoing a multi-stage renovation, updating its entrance, parking lot and other pedestrian amenities.

“Exciting things are happening at the Treasure Coast International Airport, not the least of which are APP Jet Center’s plans for a new build-to-suit hangar, FBO renovations and the company’s t-hangar project,” says Pete Tesch, president of the Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County. “County residents and business leaders alike are looking forward to seeing new amenities and services arrive at our airport—an airport with a footprint larger than that of Miami International.”

Jetfly Aviation began its operations as an FBO at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport in March 2024. Its facility offers 10,000 ft.² of hangar space with priority runway access and preferential scheduling. According to the company, Jetfly Aviation took the reins of the services there from a previous operator and now acts as an independent FBO.

“Our independence allows us to make decisions that best benefit our clients and these operational procedures help elevate the experience of those owning or chartering a private aircraft,” says Adam Gurewicz, Jetfly Aviation’s chief business development officer. “This dynamic structure and strategic partnership within Jetfly Aviation benefits clients from maintenance to operations, management services, chartering and fueling.”

Avflight acquired its 26^th FBO at Hattiesburg/Laurel Regional Airport (KPIB) in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. On March 19, 2024, Avflight opened the 4,000-ft.² FBO, paired with 125,000 ft.² of hangar space spread across 18 units, which can accommodate aircraft as large as the Gulfstream G550. According to Avflight, the Hattiesburg FBO is situated near the city’s FedEx sorting facility, enabling Avflight to assist in cargo operations within the region.

“The Avflight team is proud to support the Hattiesburg community as its new gateway for visitors, contributing to the region’s economic growth,” says Garrett Hain, treasurer and vice president of finance for Avflight. “Avflight look forward to building lasting relationships with local stakeholders and investing in initiatives that enhance the region’s prosperity.”

On June 10, 2024, Odyssey Aviation celebrated the opening of its new terminal at Exuma International Airport in the Bahamas. The facility, measuring in at 4,800 ft.², includes a 6-acre aircraft parking apron and a bulk aviation fuel storage facility. According to Odyssey, the location’s customer service and line service teams are entirely staffed by local Bahamian workers, contributing to the local economy.

Additionally, the facility offers an executive conference room, a pilot lounge, three 5,000-gal. Jet A refuelers and one 1,000-gal. Avgas refueler. Odyssey’s bulk fuel storage facility also contains 55,000 gal. of Jet A fuel and 20,000 gal. of Avgas in supply.

“We are excited to open our new terminal building at Odyssey Aviation Exuma, which represents our commitment to providing world-class service and facilities for our customers,” says Steven Kelly, president of Odyssey Aviation. “The new terminal will enhance the overall travel experience for visiting passengers and crew members, and we look forward to welcoming them to our new facility.”

In May 2024, Clay Lacy Aviation shared its progress on its new FBO and hangar complex at Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC) in New York. In the following months, the company opened the facility, offering 120,000 ft.² of newly built hangar space. According to Clay Lacy Aviation, the hangars were built with 29-ft. doors and can accommodate aircraft as large as the Bombardier Global 7500, Dassault’s Falcon 10X or the Gulfstream G700.

The location also sports a suite of sustainable features, including solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, electric aircraft charging, efficient building design and supply of sustainable aviation fuel.

In October 2024, Jet Aviation began construction of its next FBO facility, to be located at Miami-Opa Locak Executive Airport in South Florida. The facility, situated on 27 acres of the western side of the airfield, includes an 8,500 ft.² Silver LEED-certified FBO with 540,000 ft.² of ramp space. Additionally, the facility will include two 20,000 ft.² private-use hangars. According to Jet Aviation, the FBO’s first phase of operation is scheduled for the 2025 third quarter.

“We are incredibly excited to have begun construction on our new FBO in Opa-Locka,” says Richard Layson, vice president of FBO operations at Americas for Jet Aviation. “The state-of-the-art facility is built with our customers’ specific requirements in mind, including a private entrance and dedicated U.S. Customs and Border Protection. In addition, we are delighted to be able to offer two private, large, state-of-the-art hangars with capacity to accommodate several large cabin business jets simultaneously, providing a well-located base for customers in the region.”

In November 2024, Clay Lacy Aviation was awarded an FBO lease at Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) in Hailey, Idaho. There, Clay Lacy Aviation will use a 10-acre site to construct a new FBO facility. According to the company, the FBO’s design is being provided by Gensler and local construction firms, and will feature environmentally friendly facilities with architectural inspiration from the Wood River Valley.

The new location will eventually achieve carbon neutrality and is expected to receive LEED Gold certification, much like Clay Lacy’s other FBO facilities, the company says. According to the National Business Aviation Association, Clay Lacy Aviation became the first FBO, aircraft management, maintenance and charter services provider to receive the association’s Sustainable Flight Department accreditation for infrastructure.

“It is an honor to bring a sustainable approach while strengthening the general aviation experience at Friedman Memorial Airport,” says Scott Cutshall, president of real estate and sustainability at Clay Lacy. “We understand and value this unique area, having flown to and from SUN for over five decades. That longevity leads us to take a community-focused approach to the design of our facilities and service.”