This article is based on an official press release from Atlantic Aviation.

Atlantic Aviation Secures Strategic Caribbean Hub with Acquisitions of ExecuJet Sint Maarten

Atlantic Aviation has officially expanded its international footprint by acquiring the ExecuJet Fixed Base Operation (FBO) at Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in Sint Maarten. According to an announcement released on December 2, 2025, the acquisition marks a significant step in the company’s strategy to solidify its presence in the high-traffic Caribbean aviation market.

The facility, previously operated by ExecuJet (part of the Luxaviation Group), serves as a critical gateway for ultra-luxury travel in the region. By securing this location, Atlantic Aviation now controls a key transfer point for passengers heading to exclusive neighboring destinations such as St. Barts and Anguilla. The company confirmed that the facility will initially retain the ExecuJet branding and existing staff to ensure operational continuity during the upcoming peak winter travel season.

Strategic Expansion in the Caribbean

This acquisition places Atlantic Aviation at the center of one of the world’s busiest private aviation corridors. Princess Juliana International Airport is not merely a destination; it functions as a vital “hub-and-spoke” transfer point. Large business jets, such as Gulfstreams and Bombardiers, that cannot navigate the shorter runways of nearby islands land at SXM. From there, passengers transfer to smaller turboprops, helicopters, or yachts to reach their final destinations.

In a press statement, Atlantic Aviation leadership emphasized the importance of this infrastructure to their broader network goals.

“Providing our customers with an expanded international footprint while strengthening our Caribbean network are important goals for us. Our prestigious new St. Maarten location allows us to accomplish both, providing customers in the region with seamless access to Atlantic’s industry-leading service and hospitality.”

, Jeff Foland, CEO of Atlantic Aviation

The Sint Maarten location complements Atlantic Aviation’s existing Caribbean portfolio, which already includes operations in Grand Cayman (GCM) and Providenciales (PLS) in Turks and Caicos. The addition of SXM effectively extends the company’s reach into the Leeward Islands, creating a comprehensive service network across the region’s most popular luxury transit routes.

Operational Details and Market Data

The acquired FBO recently relocated to a newly constructed General Aviation terminal at SXM, offering state-of-the-art amenities. Services include fueling, customs and immigration clearance, and “wing-to-yacht” transfers, a critical service for the region’s maritime tourism sector. To maintain service levels during the busy “festive season” (Christmas through New Year’s), Atlantic Aviation stated that all current management and staff will remain in place.

Regional Aviation Growth

The timing of the acquisition aligns with a resurgence in Caribbean business aviation. According to market analysis from WINGX cited in industry reports, business aviation flight activity in the Caribbean has grown approximately 3.6% year-over-year in 2025. Furthermore, passenger traffic at SXM has rebounded significantly, reaching nearly 99.5% of pre-pandemic (2019) levels in 2023, with forecasts predicting continued growth.

Bobby Femia, VP of Mergers & Acquisitions at Atlantic Aviation, highlighted the specific geographic advantage of the airport:

“We’re excited about this acquisition for a multitude of reasons, beginning with Princess Juliana International Airport’s role as critical aviation infrastructure for the region and as the primary gateway to marquee destinations such as St. Barts.”

, Bobby Femia, VP of Mergers & Acquisitions, Atlantic Aviation

AirPro News Analysis

Consolidation Creates a Duopoly at SXM

This acquisition fundamentally alters the competitive landscape at Princess Juliana International Airport. Previously, the airport’s general aviation traffic was serviced by Signature Aviation and ExecuJet. With Atlantic Aviation absorbing ExecuJet’s operations, the airport is now effectively a duopoly between the two largest global FBO chains: Atlantic Aviation and Signature Aviation.

We observe that this move is consistent with the broader trend of consolidation in the FBO industry, where major networks backed by private equity (KKR in the case of Atlantic Aviation) are aggressively acquiring independent or smaller chain locations to capture high-value network traffic. By controlling the SXM node, Atlantic Aviation can now capture the entire lifecycle of a flight from a U.S. metro hub (like Teterboro or Opa-locka) to the Caribbean, offering fuel programs and loyalty incentives that span the entire journey.

Furthermore, the shift in fleet mix toward “Heavy Jets” and “Super Midsize” aircraft favors airports like SXM that possess the runway length and apron space to accommodate them. As North American travelers increasingly utilize larger cabin aircraft for Caribbean travel, the strategic value of the SXM ramp space increases, making this acquisition a defensive moat as well as an expansion play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the FBO name change immediately?

No. Atlantic Aviation has stated that the facility will continue to operate under the ExecuJet name in the short term to ensure a seamless transition during the holiday season.

What other Caribbean locations does Atlantic Aviation operate?

Atlantic Aviation currently operates FBOs in Grand Cayman (GCM) and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PLS).

Who is the other major operator at SXM?

The other primary FBO operator at Princess Juliana International Airport is Signature Aviation.

Sources

• Atlantic Aviation Press Release
• WINGX Global Market Tracker
• Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) Reports