Yingling Aviation, an MRO and FBO located at Dwight D Eisenhower National airport in Wichita, Kansas is already seeing new and incremental business opportunities with FAR Part 135 charter operators as a result of joining the Fly Louie Alliance as one of its Preferred FBOs. The Fly Louie Alliance comprises more than 300 independent Part 135 flight operations flying more than 3,000 aircraft.

Founded in September 2019, the Fly Louie Alliance has created a network of Part 135 operators and Preferred FBO partners to deliver cost savings and benefits to both. Alliance charter providers save up to $.89 per gallon at its designated Preferred FBOs across the US, Canada and the Caribbean. It also offers WholesaleFlex, a crew travel savings programme, a group health insurance plan and a fleet networking initiative called Connect. After an initial contact by Fly Louie representatives at a recent NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference, Yingling agreed to become part of the Alliance in June this year.

“We are always looking for ways to enhance the products and services we offer our customer base and to expand it in ways that are mutually beneficial,” says Yingling FBO customer service manager Kathie Hampton. “This affiliation with the Fly Louie Alliance definitely meets that criterion by offering us direct exposure to more than 300 charter operators. Fly Louie's fuel programme is an efficient and effective means of allowing us to leverage Yingling's obvious assets for charter operators. We have an immaculate, modern facility that offers a full range of services and support, including an on-site restaurant at an airport that is centrally located in the heart of the country.”

Yingling has already seen an increase in activity among charter operators and has received lots of positive feedback from both the operators and their clients.

Fly Louie began in 2017 as a public charter, offering a regularly scheduled service to New York, Boston, Nantucket and Pittsburgh. Through interactions with Part 135 operators, it developed an understanding of the challenges independent charter operators face and devised solutions to meet them, and enhance efficiency and revenues. The Fly Louie Alliance began in 2019 by creating its fuel savings programme. There is no cost to join the Alliance, nor are there any membership fees or additional charges.

“Fly Louie has developed extensive relationships with its operators and Preferred FBOs and has created a network built on efficient communication and insights between them. It's designed to offer a seamless flying experience, with quick responses, price quotes and strong attention to the details that matter most when it comes to providing outstanding customer service. That's very consistent with our business model at Yingling, and we're pleased to be a part of this network,” Hampton concludes.