Press Release

Issued by Caribbean Support & Flight Services.

May 20, 2015

World Fuel Services has announced at EBACE 2015 that it has added six new FBOs to its growing Air Elite Network: World-Way Aviation in Sorocaba, Brazil; Caribbean Support & Flight Services in Barranquilla, Colombia; Jet Aviation in Nassau, Bahamas; Cabo San Lucas International Airport in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Fort Collins-Loveland jetCenter in Loveland, CO; and Fireblade Aviation in Johannesburg, South Africa.

World-Way Aviation is scheduled to open their state-of-the-art FBO in June, 2015 at Sorocaba Airport (SDCO), located 60 miles from São Paulo. This innovative, ground up facility will be the most modern, flexible link for business aircraft traveling to São Paulo. With a total of 96,960 square feet of hangar space and 69,642 square feet of hangar space planned, World-Way Aviation will easily be the largest FBO in Brazil. The well-equipped FBO facility will include office space, luxurious vip and pilot lounges, a flight planning room, conference room, cafeterias, and four hotel-style suites.

“We are proud to add Brazil to this selective group of the best FBOs in the world and we are anxious to begin operations as the premier business and general aviation destination in Brazil. When our operations begin, we will have the largest, most state-of-the art FBO in the country and we are happy to partner with the Air Elite philosophy to provide our guests the best in service when visiting São Paulo and the surrounding region,” said Ana Recart, ceo of World-Way Aviation.

Owned by E Oppenheimer & Son, Fireblade Aviation has been operating their world-class FBO and full range business aviation terminal at O.R. Tambo International Airport (FAOR) since September, 2014. The facility handles international and domestic arrivals and departures with full FBO services which include customs and immigration, South African landing clearance assistance (short notice available), airport fees, a commercial flight connection service, vip ground handling services, and hanger or apron parking. Their exclusive lounge facilities offer vip amenities which feature day bedrooms, vip suites, and shower rooms, along with a gym, spa and bistro dining.

“Fireblade Aviation is very excited to be a part of the Air Elite Network and to be the first FBO in Africa to meet the membership criteria. The Oppenheimer family has long dreamt of hosting a first-class FBO facility to provide visitors to South Africa the best experience possible. The Air Elite Network is a perfect fit for us and we are excited for the future of our business and the Network,” said Björn Ischner, general manager FBO.

With a strong presence in the flight support market in Colombia, Caribbean Support & Flight Services has just completed the finishing touches on their newest FBO facility located at Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (SKBQ). Priding themselves on a customer-centric focus for delivering personalized, hassle-free, consistent service and unsurpassed local knowledge and expertise on the ground, the company now operates a total of six FBO/ground handling operations throughout Colombia. Caribbean Support & Flight Services offers customers full service ground handling services along with expert assistance with overflight and landing permits as well as customs & immigration.

“We are very enthusiastic to become a part of this impressive network and to be one of only four South American FBOs to carry the Air Elite Diamond Service designation. We look forward to showcasing the Diamond difference to operators visiting Barranquilla and all of Colombia for many years to come,” said Oscar Campos, commercial manager of Caribbean Support & Flight Services.

A milestone addition, Cabo San Lucas International Airport is the first FBO in Mexico to join the Air Elite Network. Serving the popular resort city of Cabo San Lucas, the FBO holds the distinction of being the only family-owned, private airport operator in Latin America. The FBO has a history of winning recognition for their high level of customer service in annual surveys. The 2015 Pilots' Choice survey ranked Cabo San Lucas International Airport as the best FBO in Mexico. The airport features an 8,100 square foot FBO and passenger terminal, over 900,000 square feet of total ramp space, and available hangar space. Their professional staff is capable of offering full service ground handling for aircraft as large as wide body airliners.

Sebastian Romo, ceo of Cabo San Lucas International Airport, expressed excitement and optimism with his FBO being the first Air Elite Network location in Mexico. “The aviation and aerospace industry in Mexico has been on a steady rise in recent years. We are happy to contribute to that trend by offering Air Elite level service in one of the more unique and breathtakingly beautiful areas of our great country!”

Fort Collins-Loveland jetCenter's newly remodeled facility is located at Fort Collins-Loveland Municipal Airport (KFNL) and is part of the award-winning jetCenters of Colorado chain. The chain was voted the third best small FBO chain in the 2015 Professional Pilot PRASE survey. The jetCenter is the only 24/7 FBO operation located in northern Colorado and is positioned as the gateway to Estes Park in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Fort Collins-Loveland jetCenter offers customers quick turns, competitive fuel prices, transient hangars, deicing type I & IV and hot fueling for helicopters, while its facility features free Wi-Fi, WSI flight planning, private crew lounge, crew cars, crew showers.

“With Denver jetCenter joining the Air Elite Network last year, we have been anticipating becoming an Air Elite Diamond Service Location for some time now. We are honored to be the latest member of the jetCenters of Colorado family to receive the Air Elite designation and to mesh their quality and service standards with our reputation for quality and consistency,” said Deb Montgomery, vice president/general manager of Fort Collins-Loveland jetCenter.

Jet Aviation began operating its new Nassau, Bahamas location at Lynden Pindling International Airport (MYNN) on January 1, 2015 following the signing of an FBO management agreement with Executive Flight Services (EFS). The FBO currently features 305,000 square feet of ramp space and includes onsite Bahamas Customs and Immigration available 24 hours per day, concierge service, computerized flight planning, pilot lounge, executive lounges, conference room, courtesy offices, on-site car rental and 20,000 square feet of hangar space.

“Jet Aviation's reputation for providing customers with consistent, personalized service has made us a natural fit for the Air Elite Network. Since the network's inception in 2011, we have had ten of our global FBOs partner with Air Elite. Jet Aviation has now extended our operations to our first Caribbean facility in Nassau, Bahamas, and we are pleased to add an 11th location to the growing network,” said John Langevin, vice president, FBO operations, North America for Jet Aviation.

In keeping with their promise to provide the best-in-class service and facilities, customers have come to expect from Jet Aviation, the FBO is currently undergoing significant renovations. In addition to repaving and expanding the ramp, Jet Aviation is adding new tenant hangars and remodeling the 10,000 square foot FBO interior to include a new lobby, pilot's lounge, vip rooms and conference rooms.

With these additions, the Air Elite Network now has 43 locations worldwide. The network was established in late 2011 and each FBO must meet a number of airport, facility and service quality standards in order to qualify for membership. To learn more about the Air Elite Network, please visit World Fuel Services and Air Elite in Stand A066 at EBACE 2015 from May 19 – May 21 in Geneva, Switzerland.