For most executives, the private jet experience begins and ends at an airport lounge. That’s all they need to know. Their car pulls into a quiet terminal, the doors open to smiling ground staff, and within minutes, wheels are up and they are on their way to their overseas business meeting. Behind that frictionless journey stands the hidden star of the aviation industry – the Fixed Base Operator, or FBO.
So what exactly is an FBO?
It’s basically a commercial enterprise authorised by an airport to provide essential aviation services to private jets, business charters and non-commercial aircraft. The term dates back to the early days of flight when many operators moved around. Those who set up permanent facilities were deemed “fixed base” operators.
Today, FBOs are considered the backbone of private flying. They manage everything from fuelling and hangar space to concierge, customs clearance, and crew logistics.
What about the 3 Fs?
An FBO normally provides three pillars of service: fuel, facilities, and flight support. Fuel is sold to aircraft operators at negotiated rates, often with thin margins but high volume. A well-run FBO manages its own storage and quality-control systems, but needs to balance safety, pricing and supply security.
Its facilities include hangars, parking and ramp access, which are crucial for generating predictable recurring revenue. For the owners of expensive aircraft, storage is another must-have. Many FBOs build climate-controlled hangars capable of housing large-cabin jets, and charging fees on a nightly, monthly, or seasonal basis.
The third F is flight support which covers an increasingly wide set of activities from ground handling, cleaning, catering and weather briefings. Leading FBOs go that one step further, working with customs and immigration systems to speed up clearances and offering door-to-door chauffeured transfers.
Customer experience
CEOs and high-net-worth passengers expect discretion, a quiet environment and efficiency from an FBO. The best operators offer private meeting rooms, luxury interiors, on-demand catering, and seamless onward transport to keep affluent clients happy. And the very best FBOs also take care of their staff with rest facilities, planning rooms, and technical support to ensure safety and performance. In competitive markets such as Dubai, London, or New York, customer service can be as important as fuel price.
Major global players include The Luxaviation Group, Signature Aviation, Jet Aviation, Jetex and Atlantic Aviation who offer loyalty programmes for charter firms and flight departments. Independent operators compete through local expertise, flexibility, and personal relationships with owners and crew.
Middle East
This region, with its surge in private jet traffic and government-led investment in aviation infrastructure, has become fertile ground for new entrants. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh are developing next-generation FBOs combining business-jet handling with lifestyle elements – boutique hotels, spas, and direct integration into business districts.
Corporations with significant flight activity often establish partnerships, or even ownership stakes, in FBOs to gain control over costs, service standards, and scheduling flexibility. Some invest to secure preferential access at congested airports or to guarantee handling for visiting clients and partners.