This website uses cookies
More information
Air bp
Air bp
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.
Related background information from the Handbook...

Flexjet

Fractional Ownership

BAN's World Gazetteer

Ohio
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

Flexjet puts staff at forefront of expansion
Flexjet is busier than ever, and it seems the current growth trend looks to have staying power. The company is investing in its people, its aircraft and its facilities, and has earned recognition as a top 99 Ohio employer.
Read this story in our October 2022 printed issue.

Through the first seven months of 2022, Flexjet's flight activity was up 30 per cent over 2021, which was its busiest year on record.

Generally, flight activity in 2022 is expected to be 15-20 per cent greater than during the pre-Covid year of 2019 according to ARGUS Traqpak. A Private Jet Card Comparisons survey of private aviation users found that 53 per cent of people who started flying privately during the pandemic plan to continue utilising private air travel regularly, while 47 per cent will continue to use it for at least some of their travel needs moving forward.

Flexjet has been able to manage the extraordinary growth of the past two years because we recognise that our team members are the foundation of our company, we pay fanatical attention to detail and we take a long term approach to establishing relationships,” says chief administrative officer Bob Sullivan. “These qualities enable us to continue to attract and retain the private aviation industry's finest professionals by keeping our company among Ohio's best places to work, now and in the years to come.”

Flexjet is responding to this growth through investments in aircraft, facilities and staff. It is hiring 350 additional pilots during 2021-22, giving it a total of 1,150 pilots by the end of this year. It says it has been able to recruit pilots quickly because its non-union status gives it the ability to adjust signing bonuses, pay scales and benefits rapidly. The company is also recruiting candidates for positions across the full range of its activities, including other flight crew members, maintenance workers, owner services and experience representatives, operations staff, flight coordinators, business analysts and information technology specialists.

It has invested $850 million in new aircraft, including Embraer Phenom 300s, Praetor 500s and 600s; Bombardier Challenger 350s; and Gulfstream G450s and G650s. The Flexjet fleet will expand to 231 aircraft by the end of 2022, approximately 40 per cent larger than it was at the end of the first half of 2021.

It is constructing a global operations control centre adjacent to its current facility at Cuyahoga County airport outside of Cleveland, Ohio. The futuristic centre will serve as the master logistics and control centre for the entire global network of flights operated by Flexjet and its sister companies. The new facility will ensure they are able to operate a safe and optimised fleet of aircraft and provide team members with one of the finest environments in which to work.

Flexjet is also expanding the footprint of its exclusive private terminals with new facilities at Teterboro airport in New Jersey; Dallas Love Field airport in Texas; and Miami-Opa Locka airport in Florida. The new facilities bolster the support services provided by FBOs and join existing facilities at Naples and Palm Beach International airports in Florida; Westchester County airport in New York; and Van Nuys airport in California.

“Today we are in period of unprecedented growth, which enables us to provide superior service for those who are seeking the very best in private jet travel for those interested in joining an exciting industry,” says Silvestro. “As responsible stewards of our business, we are prepared to invest for the future at times such as these, when the prospects for growth are at their highest, while ensuring that our investment is carefully aligned with the ebbs and flows of a dynamic market environment such as private air travel.”

The company was named by the Employers Resource Council (ERC), producer of the NorthCoast 99 Awards, as one of the 99 best places to work in northeast Ohio for the 19th year overall and the 14th consecutive year.

“We are proud to once again be honoured as one of northeast Ohio's best places to work,” said Silvestro. “From our inception, we have viewed our people, our flight crews, ground support teams and owner services staff, as the most important reason for our success. Our owners and clients fly with us because our professional team members are attuned to providing exceptional service, and we are committed to making this an outstanding place for them to work and build careers.”

The NorthCoast 99 is an annual programme and event that honours 99 outstanding northeast Ohio workplaces for factors such as top-performer recruitment, development and retention and distinction in areas including organisational strategy, policies and benefits; talent attraction, acquisition and onboarding; employee well-being; employee engagement and talent development; total rewards; and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Headquartered in the Cleveland suburb of Richmond Heights, Flexjet employs more than 2,200 private jet travel professionals, mainly in North America and Europe. The company offers an open and inclusive working environment that provides its team members a career path with opportunities for growth, whether as a member of a flight crew or in one of the many essential supporting roles on the ground. Flexjet also provides a safe, progressive, diverse and rewarding workplace with highly competitive pay and benefits.

Other News
 
ARGUS celebrates incoming operators
March 14, 2024
Grand Aire acquires National Flight Services in Ohio
February 26, 2024
Pro Star Aviation becomes authorised dealer for Starlink
February 20, 2024
As Starlink high-speed internet becomes available on the Gulfstream G650 and G650ER, Pro Star has positioned itself to sell and install the advanced aircraft connectivity platform.
NetJets extends connectivity relationship with Gogo
February 12, 2024
A 10 year agreement allows NetJets to upgrade its entire fleet of aircraft to the Avance platform, with Gogo 5G and LEO satcom services for US aircraft and Galileo for European ones.