Have you noticed that your favorite FBO may no longer be your favorite? Consolidation is ripe among aviation service providers. Large, often public, companies are gobbling up individual FBOs and small chains at a torrid pace.
And the results are generally not favorable to twin and turbine owner-operators.
“That power cart used to be free, and now it’s fifty bucks.”
“Fuel prices are up two dollars a gallon since the merger.”
Common complaints heard from customers of their “new” FBO.
A few years ago, Colorado mountain FBOs were mostly independent, and fuel costs were competitive with front-range locations. As I write this article, it’s less than $5.00/gallon in Denver and almost twice that anywhere near a ski lift.
Meet your new FBO. Ouch.
When I operated my C90B out of Dallas, Love, I was a fly in the ointment of a multi-national FBO chain there. Buried in the forest of Gulfstreams, Falcons and Global Express models, my tiny King Air was just in the way. And when the City of Dallas implemented a $50 fee every time I touched down, I got the message.
I have a new appreciation for the service and value the smaller chains and individual operators still provide. Wilson Air Center, for example. Started almost 30 years ago by the founders of Holiday Inn and is now run by one of the nicest humans you will ever meet, Bob Wilson. They are perennial winners of service awards at their locations in Memphis, Houston, Charlotte and Chattanooga. The last time I landed in CHT, three smiling line service folks met us planeside with free ice cream.
Visiting Houston, Hobby (KHOU) last year, I happened upon a new FBO, Galaxy. The facilities were gleaming, the service outstanding, the fuel price competitive, and the snacks gourmet. Turns out, it was their second location after opening a few years earlier in Conroe (KCXO).
I was impressed.
After I decided to move the Mustang back to Addison (KADS), I noticed a huge hangar complex under construction on the airport’s south side. Indeed, it was the newest location of Galaxy FBO. I waited for months for the opening and became the first tenant there.
Jokingly, I told the general manager Jamie Munoz that I should get a full water cannon salute as the first tenant. As I turned off the active runway on October 12, I noticed several fire trucks and airport police cars on the Galaxy ramp. “Did I just land gear up?” I asked myself.
As we rolled past the fire trucks to a small crowd of cheering people, our Mustang was doused with ceremonial water.
“How much did that cost?” asked Patty.
“Honey, I think we found a home.”
Fly safe.
