Author: Curt Epstein

As it heads into NBAA’s Schedulers and Dispatchers Conference (SDC) this week, New York City-based air shuttle provider Fly Louie noted that its Fly Louie Alliance, a program designed to bring economies of scale to the fragmented private aircraft charter industry, now lists 580 aircraft, 80 operators, and 36 preferred FBO locations. Launched in the fall, the program seeks to bring to the Part 135 industry the same benefits that the Corporate Aviation Association offers to its Part 91 members.

The alliance users pay no membership fees and receive special fuel pricing at participating FBOs across the country. It has seen acceptance among its members with 87 percent of its enrolled operators fueling at preferred FBOs after their initial onboarding, and most of its partner FBOs have reported fueling member aircraft.

“We are doubling down our efforts on utilization, ensuring that Part 135 members are taking advantage of their benefits at our preferred alliance FBO partners,” said Fly Louie COO Eytan Kurshan. “Many of our FBOs report that the majority of the Alliance aircraft coming to their sites represent incremental, new business.”

The alliance will be one of the initial offerings featured in SDC’s new product showcase, a feature that will be held for the first time at this year’s edition in Charlotte, North Carolina.