Dominion Aviation has sold its fully integrated business to Vantage Aviation, a company led by founder and CEO Ryan Maxfield. Officially launched in Spring 2024 with partner and COO Kyle Cassidy, Vantage Aviation is aggressively building and acquiring FBO operating businesses, many of which offer ancillary services such as charter, maintenance and flight training.

When asked why Vantage chose Dominion Aviation as its first acquisition, Maxfield explains: “Dominion Aviation is a company that really epitomises the strategy, culture and core principles of Vantage. We were very patient and measured when it came to our first acquisition because we wanted the business to reflect what we stood for. Dominion Aviation is a company that recognises the value created by being a one-stop-shop to its customers, providing all the integral services inherent to aircraft ownership. Couple that with a people-centric culture that puts safety and service (in that order) at the forefront of its mind, and we had the perfect fit. The Chesterfield County administration and the airport manager also acknowledge the economic impact and key role this airport plays in its community. It’s great when the airport sponsor is so supportive of the business and the services it provides. This transaction is a great foundation as we begin building our network across the continental US.”

As the sole-source FBO operator at the Richmond Executive-Chesterfield County airport, Dominion offers a wide array of services. In addition to ground handling, fuelling and hangar storage, it offers aircraft management and charter services, MRO with a Part 145 repair station and flight training/aircraft rental services. Today, Dominion Aviation manages a fleet of 14 aircraft in both Part 91 and 135 capacities, and has over 51,000sq ft of hangar facilities at Richmond Executive, the reliever airport located on the SW side of Richmond in Virginia.

Founder and CEO of Dominion, Mike Mickel, feels similarly about the cultural fit of Vantage Aviation: “This was a long courtship, and while I’ve known Ryan for years and I’m familiar with what he has built in the past, I needed to be sure that I was leaving my employees and customers, who are like family to me, in the right hands. It became more and more obvious to me throughout the process that I picked the right partner to take this company to the next level. I have a lot more in the tank, and I’m thrilled to be working side-by-side with Ryan and his team going forward. I think I can speak for the entire team when I say the future looks bright.”

Mike Mickel founded Dominion Aviation in October 1983 and flew its first revenue flight in 1984. He will remain with Dominion Aviation going forward with a focus on aircraft management services.