Decreasing FBO Costs in 2012

Cash Flow and Controlling Expenses—Managing Your Business
(Part 2 of a 3-Part Series: Planning a Successful 2012 FBO Business Strategy)

By John L. Enticknap, Aviation Business Strategies Group

 The buck stops with the guy who signs the checks.
                                                                —Rupert Murdoch 

In the first installment of this series, we discussed our FBO Business Outlook for 2012. At the recent NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Conference held in San Diego, we had a chance to discuss this outlook and the current business climate with a number of FBOs in attendance.

Many we talked to agreed with our forecast of a slow uptick of around 2.5 percent average industry growth in 2012, with some individual FBOs experiencing up to 5 percent growth or even possibly more.  We met a number of FBO owners and managers who indicated they were ahead of the 2.5 percent growth rate for 2011 and expect to do better than the 5 percent growth projection for 2012.  And of course, some indicated 2011 was a flat year and they didn’t expect to do much better for 2012.

For this installment, part two of our three-part series, we want to discuss ways FBOs can better manage and even decrease their costs in 2012.

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Make March 27-30, 2012, Your Capital Week for Aviation Business

In late March, leaders from the FBO industry will gather at our NATA FBO Leadership Conference (FBOLC) here in Washington, D.C.  This year, we have built a comprehensive program that will provide a wealth of information, networking and opportunity for executives and top managers of America’s aviation businesses.

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Two Former Exxon FBOs Join Eastern Aviation Fuels, Inc.

Eastern Aviation Fuels, Inc., recently announced the former Exxon FBOs, Greenbrier Valley Airport and Summit Aviation, have joined the Shell FBO Network.

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Shell FBO Network, AeroClass Locations Growing

Twenty-nine Landmark FBOs are now participating Shell AeroClass locations and 64 new locations were added the the Shell FBO network in 2011.

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85 Exxon FBOs Rebrand as Phillips 66® Aviation, Join the Industry’s Largest Dealer Network

Eighty-five fixed base operators, formerly with Exxon, have joined the Phillips 66 Aviation network of branded dealers, the nation’s largest.

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General Aviation’s Largest Branded Dealer Network Launches Mobile App

Phillips 66^® Aviation, the largest branded dealer network in general aviation, has launched a WingPoints^® Rewards With Altitude^® mobile app, giving pilots access to their WingPoints accounts, along with a full-featured airport dealer locator.

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Hoosier Aviation (HUF) Moves Forward at Terre Haute International Airport Supported by Fuel Partner Avfuel

Terre Haute International Airport is getting a breath of fresh air in the form of Avfuel-branded Hoosier Aviation (formerly the Terre Haute Air Center), now under the ownership of Jordan and Nicole Brown. The Browns plan to grow the FBO, as well as the general aviation presence at the airport beginning with a remodel of the facility, scheduled to be completed by early February 2012.

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Vancouver Area FBO Launches New Brand, Offers Superior Services

Located just 20 miles (35 km) from Downtown Vancouver at the Boundary Bay Airport (CZBB), Boundary Bay Air Services enters the market with a new brand and superior services.

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TMA Group (CSB) Partners with Avfuel as Part of Improvement Vision

TMA Group, the FBO at Cambridge Municipal Airport, and Avfuel Corporation have announced that TMA Group will join Avfuel’s network of branded FBOs and will offer Avfuel products and solutions in addition to the services and amenities already available.

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Planning a Successful 2012 FBO Business Strategy: A Three Part Series

Part 1: Our FBO Business Outlook for 2012

By John L. Enticknap and Ron R. Jackson, Aviation Business Strategies Group

 Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.                                                                                                                                          —Mark Twain 

Recently we received a call from one of the major business aviation publications asking for our outlook for the FBO business in 2012. As writers, practitioners and consultants to the business aviation community, we are often contacted by the aviation trade press for our views on various industry subjects.

We have our ears and eyes glued to the FBO market, and recently completed one of our FBO Success Seminars for the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), so we have a pretty good pulse on the health of the industry.

Looking into the FBO Crystal Ball for 2012

First of all, in today’s political environment—especially with an election year upon us—it’s hard to get a good read on what’s going to happen in 2012 on a national level that will affect our FBO industry either positively or negatively. If you’ve watched any of the debates, you probably think ‘ol Mark Twain hit the nail on the head. You might as well wet your finger and hold it up in the air to see which way the economic wind is going to blow.

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