With private jet travel becoming more accessible and affordable than before, it’s time to brush up on some of the terminology you might encounter on your journey. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the vast world of Fixed-Based Operators (FBOs). They are one of the most important elements of a private charter and provide a range of key services that you can’t fly privately without.

What is an FBO?

FBOs are companies that operate out of an airport (the fixed base). They provide fuel, ground handling, and all other services you might need when organising your private jet. They also arrange private jet hire themselves if necessary. Whether you’re in a public or private airport, you’ll probably find at least a few FBOs providing services, usually on the opposite side of the airport to the main terminals. FBOs ensure that travellers have a private experience, with features like private check-in, speedy aircraft access, and a fully customised passenger experience.

The Benefits of Using FBOs

1: Unlimited Customisation of the Flight Experience

Using an FBO completely redefines the travel experience. If you’re used to a limited range of snacks, reading old in-flight magazines, and kids kicking the back of your chair, prepare to have your world turned on its head. One of the key benefits of an FBO is their attention to detail. They’ll ask in-depth questions necessary to provide a personal touch for your in-flight experience. They can organise your favourite films to be pre-loaded on the aircraft, as well as snacks and activities that suit your taste.

Depending on your budget, this personalisation can include organising mood lighting, dedicated playlists, and even the configuration of the aircraft’s cabin to suit your needs.

2: Convenience

When you opt for private travel, you might not realise how many extra steps are taken in the background in order to make your dream a reality. There are so many key factors to consider for any successful aircraft flight, such as on-site maintenance, fuelling services, communications services, and access to runway space.

If you had to take care of all these elements yourself, then flying private might not even be worth the hassle. FBOs, however, take care of all these elements and so much more. They turn private travel into the luxurious industry that it’s become through all their hard work in the background. And finally, arranging a private charter is as easy as making a quick phone call to the FBOs to say you need one.

3: Get Closer to Your Destination

With a private jet, you can access so many more airports than when flying commercially. Due to their smaller size, many private jets need shorter runways and less space to land than most commercial aircraft.

Private charters can also fly into any airport that gives them permission, therefore opening up private airports like Farnborough (just 35 miles from London) and London City Airport (just 3 miles from Canary Wharf). This not only gets you closer to your destination, but it also slashes waiting time and allows you to do so much more with your day.

Once you arrive at these smaller airports, you can expect faster processing, more relaxed customs checks, and a far more relaxing experience. Staff at private airports are used to working with VIPs, so they are better able to anticipate your tastes and needs to provide a higher level of customer service.

4: Why Buy When You Can Charter?

While FBOs provide comparable services to customers with their own private jets, the bill for fuel, maintenance costs, insurance, and runway services will be so much higher than if you simply charter a jet every time you fly. Running a private jet yourself can cost upwards of half a million pounds every year. Think about it this way: even if you charter a Cessna Citation ten times a year for short flights around the UK, you won’t come close to this figure.

Because FBOs compete with each other, they’ll provide the most competitive rates on fuel and maintenance so that you can select their services as opposed to their competitors. You can shop around different FBOs until you find the charter that works for you. Once you have selected your provider, you can work on building the relationship, getting you even better access to the best deals on the market.

5: Scheduling Flexibility

Whether you’re departing from one of the UK’s most popular private airports, like London Farnborough, or a small regional airport, such as Manchester Barton, FBO services are tailored to your schedule. For instance, if you have a last-minute meeting and need to adjust your departure time, the dedicated staff at an FBO can accommodate this without the rigid constraints of commercial flights.

Flying into a less familiar location? Airports like Oxford or Cambridge often operate with private FBOs that offer personalised assistance, ensuring a seamless experience even in new surroundings.

Many FBOs across the UK, including at London Luton or Biggin Hill, operate late into the night, making last-minute changes or late arrivals manageable without the stress of missing your flight. Additionally, delays that plague commercial airlines are virtually non-existent with FBOs, with most charter companies even avoiding the CrowdStrike outage that plagued almost all major commercial operators.

Choosing an FBO That’s Right for You

Now that you know all about the role of FBOs and how important they are when organising your next private charter, all you have to do is pick your provider. This will depend entirely on your needs, their scheduling, and the aircraft that you can choose from. Don’t worry too much, though, as fixed-based operators must go through a rigorous testing and compliance process in order to operate. Ultimately, whichever FBO you choose, have peace of mind that you’ll receive better than first-class service.

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