FBOs and the local community
A recent flight out of Biggin Hill with my private jet charter pilot hat on got me thinking. The FBO – the VIP terminal/handling agent at the airport – is as much part of the private jet user’s experience as the flight itself. No queues, discreet VIP service and designed for convenience. But there’s currently a broad variance in service levels, facilities and also in the charges levied to the aircraft operator. As our industry starts to come out of recession, it will be interesting to see how FBOs shape up and embrace the opportunities. In particular I see an opportunity for them to improve how they interact with and support their local communities – to the benefit of everyone involved.
In my view the FBO should look to involve local businesses as much as possible in its operation – therein good networking potential arises and keeps the private jet airfield top of mind in the local community. This means trying to use local services such as hotels and catering, building firms, taxis for crew, limos for passengers, laundry/dry cleaning services etc. And why not take down those aircraft photos and have some artwork from local artists and even display some (tasteful) local produce in the lounge? If there are no local hotels, speak to the tourist information and give pilots recommendations of high quality B&Bs. Most would prefer to stay local than travel further to an anonymous corporate hotel. With the potential bonus of a kindly landlady who would wash and iron shirts and cook you a hearty dinner from local produce, rather that than yet another club sandwich. Or perhaps I’m getting carried away here…! But you see my point.
Other ways of interaction could be visits to schools and other educational establishments in the area. Teach them early that business aviation is not a luxury but a time saving necessity for business. Get involved with local events and encourage the community to support business aviation. Raise the profile of the industry and show that business aviation can have a light footprint and a large wallet. Hopefully local business people will respond.
Excellent FBOs I’ve come across which embrace their local communities include Service People in Hamburg, Grafair Jet Center in Stockholm and Airline Support Executive in Kastrup Copenhagen. It would be interesting to hear about other trailblazers out there…