Following a request for proposal (RFP) by US and Europe-based group purchasing organisation AVIAA to a variety of FBOs back in December, it has now added a network of more than 110 global FBOs to its own business aviation services. The move came in response to demand from members to obtain savings on their fuel costs in North America, and on associated FBO services worldwide. “We had an amazing response,” says CEO Gillian Hayes, who notes that after two months of close evaluation the full line up of participating partners was loaded on to the AVIAA Dashboard, enabling members to enjoy a range of preferred pricing as and when they use them.

The newly selected US and Canadian locations join AVIAA's established FBO partners in the UK, Europe, Middle East, and Asia in a network of over 100 locations, and growing. Through the network, AVIAA members will receive exclusive pricing on fuel uplift at North American locations, in addition to discounts on handling and other services at all other destinations.

“Our preferred FBO network is a big part of our community building. Just like our jet owners and operators want to join together and aggregate their volume to streamline purchasing, these FBOs are committed to joining together and supporting our community as partners,” Hayes adds. In the US, the network includes brands like Jet Aviation at Washington Dulles, Fontainebleau in Opa Locka and Castle and Cooke, as well as small independent locations. Partners abroad include TAG Aviation, Jetex, Omni Handling and Aviapartner Executive.

Irena Deville, now managing director, EMEA and based in Munich, Germany was previously instrumental in building up preferred FBO suppliers in Europe and comments: “It is wonderful to be able to join our FBO networks just as we joined our fleets during the AVIAA acquisition of Convolus. The combined community is truly something special in business aviation.”

AVIAA is headquartered in Irvine, California and has offices in Park City, Utah; Munich, Germany; and in the UK at London Oxford airport. At the end of January it announced its acquisition of Convolus, a similar business founded by Irena and Nicholas Deville with a strong European customer base.