Business & GA

VVIP business aviation services provider X Jet is set to break ground early next year on two new luxury fixed-base operations at Paris Le Bourget and Abu Dhabi's Al Bateen airport.

The facilities will mirror the company's members-only facility in Denver, Colorado - which is also being expanded - where 13 aircraft owners pay a one-off fee for dedicated hangarage, handling and lounge access.

"This business model has been a huge success," said X Jet founder and president Josh Stewart at the show. "We opened the Denver facility two years ago to cater to aircraft owners rather than pilots and to remove the dependence on fuel sales for profit. With our seven-star facility we have successfully revolutionised private aviation and turned the traditional FBO model upside down."

The Le Bourget and Al Bateen "aviation campuses" should take 12 months to complete and will give X Jet a foothold in the European and Middle Eastern markets respectively where expansion is being spearheaded by X Jet partners and investors James Cole and Ali Al Naqbi. "We will offer at both facilities X Jet World club membership for up to 25 members each as well as FBO services for transitional passengers," said Stewart. X Jet, which also has an expanding fleet of 13 owned and managed business jets in the USA. is hoping to open facilities in Dallas, London and Geneva in the short to medium term.

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