Air Elite Network continues global growth strategy | Press Release

World Fuel Services announced today that six new locations have signed with the Air Elite Network since EBACE 2015, expanding the global network to 49 Diamond Service FBOs.

The network of uniquely-exceptional FBOs grew steadily in 2015, adding 12 new members since January. Air Elite members are valued contributors to defining the network's strategy and are encouraged to contribute to the best practices established throughout the network. Going forward, the network continues to seek new members, working toward the goal of 150 locations.

The latest additions to the Air Elite Network include:

Sky Services, Milan, Italy LIML Sky Services, Venice, Italy LIPZ Dassault Falcon Service, Paris, Le Bourget, France LFPB

KaiserAir, Inc., Oakland, CA KOAK YU Lounge, Mauritius FIMP Grafair Jet Center, Stockholm, Sweden ESSB

As a privately-owned company, Sky Services currently operates a network of ten modern, full-service FBO facilities throughout Italy, each with their own staff, facilities and equipment. Their attention to detail and dedication to excellence in customer service makes the addition of their Milan and Venice locations a natural fit for the Air Elite Network. In addition to their FBO locations, Sky Services offers catering through SKY Cuisine, fuel, brokerage, supervision and permits at all Italian airports, a “SKY card” for payment of all aircraft-related services and a certified Flight Academy with four bases in Italy.

“Sky Services is a continuously evolving company. Thanks to our dynamism and our adaptability to the market conditions, we have registered so far a steady growth in the general aviation sector. Having had the opportunity to enter the Air Elite family has meant a further important step for our company. We are proud to have become a member of Air Elite with two of our most important and representative FBO locations. This opportunity will give Sky Services a further chance of visibility and development, and for our customers, it represents an additional guarantee for quality and service.” said Simone Klümper, Sky Service's marketing manager.

Dassault Falcon Service is present in all areas of business aviation, including FBO services during stopovers at Le Bourget airport. Their FBO ranks among the top 10 FBOs in the eastern hemisphere, accommodates all categories of aircraft including the largest ones, and provides full assistance to flight crews. The FBO offers a large range of services to passengers and crew members.

“Our FBO in Paris Le Bourget is very proud to share its 50 year expertise with the best FBOs of the world in joining the Air Elite Network,” said Bertrand d'Yvoire, Dassault Falcon Service's vice president airline/FBO - accountable manager.

KaiserAir Inc. at Oakland International Airport has been an Ascent branded member of the World Fuel Services Network since 2013. The KaiserAir FBO in Oakland offers personalized service, on-site maintenance and the best guaranteed fuel price in the San Francisco Bay area. No other FBO is better situated to support operations in the Bay area due to easy access to the city and Silicon Valley. KaiserAir will also be the premier and preferred location for aircraft heading to Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara in February.

“We are excited to be a part of the Air Elite Network and proud to be considered among some of the World's best FBOs,” said Otto Wright, Kaiser Air's general manager. “We take pride in the level of service that we offer our customers, so we see that as a great fit with the high standards that are a part of this program.”

YU Lounge Mauritius is now the second YU Lounge to join the Air Elite Network, following their sister location in St Kitts & Nevis. Operating 24/7, YU Lounge Mauritius features a 25,000 square feet private terminal with luxurious arrival and departure lounges, on-site customs and immigration clearance facilities as well as a duty free shop and a conference room, where passengers and crew receive a first-rate service. They also boast a 560,000 square feet apron parking and 20,000 square feet state of the art hangar with additional services such as aircraft wash and valeting, gourmet catering or Mototok towing are just a preview of the wide range of services offered at YU Lounge Mauritius.

“YU Lounge Mauritius is extremely happy to be part of the Air Elite Network, as we already recognize the high value of such a partnership. We are proud to contribute to the expansion of the network in this part of the world, being the second Air Elite location in Africa,” said Sylvain Faucher, ceo of YU Lounge.

Dedicated to the highest standards of service, with swiftness and discretion in mind, Grafair Jet Center at Bromma Stockholm Airport provides a first class environment and red carpet service to business and general aviation travelers visiting Sweden. The unique all-inclusive concept, the living room atmosphere and the relaxed, yet professional approach has proven to be successful. Coffee is not self-serve from a machine with twenty buttons; the team at Grafair Jet Center takes that extra care and serves the coffee to each person on a tray, like they always have.

“The Air Elite membership is giving us the right tools to take the next step in improving the overall experience and value visiting Stockholm. We assure everyone this next step will not change our personality, as the Parrot and the ice-cream will remain,” said Johan Erik Emmoth, Grafair Jet Center's ceo/FBO manager.

“As a result of this strategic growth, flight operators are able to find more Air Elite locations worldwide where they can rely on the consistently high standards of Air Elite Diamond Service, which stem from The Ritz-Carlton customer service philosophy. Flight operators choosing Air Elite Diamond Service FBOs also benefit from enhanced FlyBuys Rewards, coupled with the Diamond Dividends loyalty program, which rewards operators for traveling within the Air Elite Network,” said John Rau, World Fuel Services' Executive vice president of aviation.

The Air Elite Network is comprised of 49 uniquely exceptional diamond service locations worldwide and continues to grow steadily. The network was established in late 2011 and each FBO must meet a number of airport, facility and service quality standards in order to qualify for membership.