Independent values: The power of individuality for small airport FBOs

Small airport FBOs are less likely to interest the major FBO chains, leaving many to remain fiercely independent. Paul Eden spoke with executives at Banyan Air Service, Groupe Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur and Northstar Jet to find out why their independence is so valuable.

This article was published in Regional Gateway‘s Volume 8 Issue 3. To read more articles like this, apply for your complimentary subscription today.

Typically an integral feature of regional and smaller airports, the fixed base operator (FBO) handles business, VIP and, frequently, general aviation traffic. While there is no one size fits all solution, an FBO is often centred around an executive terminal and delivers or coordinates a comprehensive range of aircraft, crew and passenger services.

Many FBOs are owned or franchised to a handful of major chains. Signature Aviation is especially prevalent in the US but with a global presence, for example, and the vivid orange branding of Jetex is also familiar around the world.

Mergers and acquisition take an important role in growing FBO chains, bringing guaranteed service continuity to passengers and crews – and benefits in economies of scale, marketing, training and other operational areas to individual FBOs.

In addition, benefits including training and assistance with marketing and PR are available to FBOs carrying fuel company branding.

Avfuel, Phillips 66 and World Fuel Services are among the fuel suppliers adding their weight to FBOs that might otherwise lack the reach required to explore the wider market.

Customers are reassured by the association with a quality, often heritage brand, and enjoy access to fuel card loyalty schemes and other offers.

And then there are those FBOs choosing to remain part of a smaller, discrete group, opting to join a larger network for deeper market penetration while retaining their individuality, or plumping for full independence.

The latter can be a tough option and these FBOs are frequently part of a much wider co-located aviation ecosystem that involves the full gamut of private aviation and military customers, as well as their regular business aviation trade.

Tailored service philosophy – Custom solutions for independent FBO growth

Northstar Jet (NSJ) is the FBO at Missoula Montana Airport. A Neptune Aviation company, its co-location with the parent organisation is no coincidence.

General aviation types inside Northstar Jet’s hangar. The facility is especially busy during
the winter months, when Missoula’s weather makes parking aircraft outside undesirable.
Image: Neptune Aviation/Northstar Jet

Neptune operates a fleet of firefighting air tankers and Jamie Jones, Neptune Aviation’s FBO General Manager, explains the symbiotic relationship between the two organisations.

He says: “The FBO connects with our other departments for various needs, providing fuel, hangar space and other standard FBO services. The Neptune Air Attack and Airtanker departments rely on Northstar’s ability to provide these services for their mission readiness.”

Northstar Jet also operates a flight school, the importance of which Jones emphasises, adding: “Our primary focus is to provide flight instruction for the public, but we do see our ability to offer it as a benefit for our employees to obtain their aviation certificates, to become pilots, and get them more culturally integrated into the aviation community.

“The FBO and flight school are springboards into the aviation industry – two of our current Airtanker pilots started on the NSJ line. We have a testing centre built into the flight school, allowing individuals to complete their FAA testing.

“Whether they are becoming an A&P (airframe and propulsion) mechanic, professional pilot, or pursuing a certification as a drone pilot, we can provide those services.”

It is a combination of training services unlikely to be found at a chain FBO, adding significant value to other critical NSJ capabilities, including maintenance, snow clearance and ground service equipment provision, plus regional airline support.

The whole, says Jones, is an ecosystem that enables resilience and growth.

“In the summer, all sectors are busy – firefighting, commercial airlines and general aviation. In fall, winter and spring, the airlines and general aviation slow down, but remain constant, while firefighting slows way down. As we dwindle down to lower activity on our ramp, we continue to provide fuel and see an uptick in transient hangar rental. In the spring, we conduct a lot of training for the air attack and airtanker departments, so we provide the fuel and sometimes de-icing for their training sessions. So part of the season is not as busy, but we are able to stabilise revenue throughout the year.”

A resilient, multi-faceted FBO might be attractive to the chains, but Jones says remaining independent is an intentional choice.

“We have carved out a strong local reputation at Missoula Airport, offering the same services as other FBOs and supporting the airlines. Among the compelling reasons behind the decision to stay independent, we value our ability to follow a tailored service philosophy, our local relationships and flexibility in decision-making.

“There are also important financial considerations. Independence means keeping full control over operations and revenue, where joining a chain often involves sharing profits or meeting performance metrics defined externally.

“We can also be selective in our investment. Rather than adhering to chain-wide infrastructure standards, NSJ can invest precisely where it sees the greatest impact.”

Aviation complex – Banyan Air Service’s independent FBO model at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport

Don Campion, President and CEO, Banyan Air Service. Image: Banyan Air Service

Another staunchly independent FBO, Banyan Air Service has effectively defined its own style of operation.

President and CEO, Don Campion, says: “Banyan is technically an independent FBO, but our operation has grown far beyond what most people associate with that category.

“Unlike a typical standalone facility, Banyan has developed into a full aviation complex at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, with more than one million square feet of hangar and office space and a wide array of services beyond traditional fuel and line support – including comprehensive maintenance and avionics capabilities, parts distribution, aircraft sales, and one of the world’s largest pilot shops.

“Our business model is centred on vertical integration rather than scale through multiple locations. While international FBO chains achieve consistency by replicating services across airports, and small regional groups benefit from shared resources between a handful of sites, Banyan has focused on building depth at one location. This allows us to offer everything a customer might need – whether transient or based – without leaving the airport.”

Campion founded Banyan in 1979 and has seen plenty of acquisition interest from the major FBO networks.

He has always resisted, saying: “Our independence is central to who we are and how we operate. Remaining privately owned allows us to make decisions quickly, tailor our services to our customers’ needs, and reinvest directly into our facilities and people – without the constraints that can come with corporate oversight.”

Banyan does not work in isolation, however. Campion participates in leadership groups with other FBO executives, including the Pinnacle Group focused on the technical side of FBO operations and an organisation of approximately 20 independent FBOs named f.b.o. #1.

Banyan also carries Avfuel branding, the benefits of which Campion explains as follows.

“Partnering with Avfuel allows Banyan to combine the strengths of a major fuel and service network with the personalised approach of an independent FBO.

Just a small area of Banyan Air Service’s presence at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Image: Banyan Air Service

“Our customers gain access to competitive fuel programmes, Avfuel’s AVTRIP loyalty points programme, and a seamless experience when travelling between network locations.

“The relationship also provides operational support, training resources and marketing reach that enhance our capabilities without compromising our independence.

“A significant benefit is access to Avfuel’s sustainability initiatives, including sustainable aviation fuel, which helps our customers reduce their environmental impact and align with evolving industry standards for greener operations.”

Sky Valet connect – How Sky Valet connect supports European independent FBO growth

In aviation there is seldom one solution that is right for all, and the FBO market is no exception. Banyan and NSJ have made their unique versions of the independent model work, but many independents seek the support of a formal network without the full-scale corporate tie-in of the major chains. Sky Valet Connect’s Europe-centric network has found its niche delivering exactly that type of support.

Groupe Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur operates Nice Côte d’Azur, Cannes Mandelieu and Golfe de Saint-Tropez airports, while its Sky Valet brand is responsible for FBO services at Cannes and Saint-Tropez.

Jean-François Guitard with Louis Malidor, Director of Advanced Air Support, which recently joined the Sky Valet Connect network. Image: Sky Valet Connect

Jean-François Guitard, Director of General Aviation and Business Development at Aéroports de la Côte d’Azur, describes how the Sky Valet Connect brand subsequently expanded across Europe.

“The large handling companies prefer to serve major or regional airports, where competition between them is fierce,” he says.

“They typically don’t look at smaller independent airports handling business and commercial aircraft, and these lend themselves to being part of a franchised network.

“Most of our Sky Valet Connect franchisees fit this description. They have limited budget for things like marketing but as part of the network they improve their market visibility.

“Sky Valet takes a large booth at the annual EBACE (European Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition) event, for example, where many of our franchisees could afford only a tiny space if they were alone.”

In mid-2025, the Sky Valet Connect brand reached across France, Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Portugal, with new airports joining regularly; four in the first half of 2025 alone.

Guitard expects the trend to continue, since franchisees appreciate the opportunity to remain independent while sharing costs, benefitting from economies of scale, and learning from the experiences and best practices of other network members.

Sky Valet Connect members value their retained independence, while Banyan’s Campion is keen to highlight the importance that customers place on the personalised service an independent FBO provides.

The same is true of NSJ’s customers, and Jones proudly concludes: “Northstar Jet is not just an FBO. We have become a local institution with deep roots in Montana’s aviation ecosystem. Our independent stance is less about resisting change and more about honouring what’s made us successful: personal relationships, high reliability, consistent operations, and a brand that feels genuine – embracing family, firm handshake, and resilient spirit. That makes us genuinely unique in what we do.”