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Atlantic Aviation Expands Caribbean Network with Sint Maarten FBO Acquisition

Atlantic Aviation acquires ExecuJet’s FBO at Princess Juliana Airport, enlarging its Caribbean footprint and service network at a key travel hub.

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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.


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Photo Credit: Atlantic Aviation

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Business Aviation

Gulfstream Opens First On-Site Customer Support Office in Singapore

Gulfstream Aerospace opened a dedicated customer support office in Singapore on June 11, 2026, staffing it with eight professionals at Jet Aviation.

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Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. established its first dedicated on-site Customer Support office in Singapore on June 11, 2026, embedding eight professionals at Jet Aviation’s facility to directly serve the growing Asia-Pacific business aviation market.

Announced in a company press release, the expansion builds upon Gulfstream’s existing footprint in the region. The new office aims to streamline service capabilities for operators across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, which the manufacturer identified as a leading aerospace hub with increasing flight activity.

Regional support infrastructure

The Singapore office is staffed by eight Gulfstream customer support professionals. According to the company, this team will work alongside Jet Aviation to provide localized assistance and technical guidance to operators.

Lor Izzard, senior vice president of Gulfstream Customer Support, stated that the manufacturer is seeing increased activity across Asia, making Singapore a logical location for the expansion.

“Adding this dedicated on-site team allows us to deliver a more seamless and convenient service experience for customers across the region,” Izzard said.

The manufacturer currently maintains a 5,000-square-foot (465-square-meter) distribution center in Singapore. This facility houses an estimated $70 million in dedicated spare parts inventory and fulfills 70 percent of regional parts orders.

Broader Asia-Pacific expansion strategy

The establishment of the Singapore office is part of a wider strategy to capture and support market share in the Eastern Hemisphere. Gulfstream’s broader APAC support network includes nine Field Service Representatives and three Field and Airborne Support Teams (FAST). Globally, the company operates six factory-authorized service centers and 10 authorized warranty facilities.

The customer support expansion follows a series of sales leadership appointments announced on June 8, 2026. Gulfstream named Marc Ghaly as division vice president of sales for the Europe, Middle-East, and Africa (EMEA) and APAC regions, alongside Jad Benhaïjoub as regional vice president of government sales for the same territories.

AirPro News analysis

We view Gulfstream’s decision to co-locate its customer support personnel with Jet Aviation as a practical leveraging of General Dynamics’ corporate umbrella, as both companies share the same parent organization. By embedding factory personnel directly at an established maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, Gulfstream can offer original equipment manufacturer (OEM) oversight without the capital expenditure of building a standalone service center in a high-cost real estate market like Singapore. The concurrent restructuring of EMEA and APAC sales leadership suggests the manufacturer is positioning for a sustained sales push in the region, backed by the necessary aftermarket infrastructure to reassure prospective buyers.

Sources: Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.

Photo Credit: Gulfstream

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Business Aviation

ACASS Adds BBJ2 and Legacy 650 to Kenya Fleet

ACASS expands its African managed fleet with a Kenya-based Boeing BBJ2 and Embraer Legacy 650 for global charter.

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Montreal-based aviation services provider ACASS has expanded its managed fleet in Africa with the addition of a Kenya-based Boeing Business Jet 2 (BBJ2) and an Embraer Legacy 650.

Announced in a press release on June 4, 2026, the two long-range Private-Jets are registered under the San Marino Aircraft Registry (T7). Both jets will soon be available for global charter operations to support rising demand for executive, head-of-state, and large-group intercontinental travel across the region.

Fleet expansion targets African charter demand

The introduction of the BBJ2 and Legacy 650 adds significant intercontinental range and passenger capacity to the ACASS portfolio. Operating out of Kenya positions the aircraft to serve both regional and long-haul requirements for VIP clients.

ACASS Chief Executive Officer Andre Khury highlighted the strategic nature of the fleet additions in the company’s June 4 statement.

“These additions reflect both the continued demand we are seeing in Africa and our commitment to providing flexible, high-quality aircraft management and charter solutions in the region,” Khury said.

Khury also noted the company’s decades of operational experience across the continent, emphasizing a focus on adapting to the evolving requirements of its charter and management clients.

Operational transparency and registry selection

Both newly managed aircraft operate under the San Marino T7 registration. The T7 registry is frequently utilized by international business aviation operators for its regulatory efficiency and strict adherence to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety Standards.

The fleet expansion follows recent technology investments by the management firm. On February 11, 2026, ACASS integrated the MySky Spend management platform into its operations. The platform adoption was designed to increase financial transparency and streamline information access for aircraft owners.

AirPro News analysis

We view the placement of a BBJ2 and a Legacy 650 in Kenya as a calculated response to the distinct logistical realities of the African business aviation market. The continent’s vast geography and historically fragmented commercial airline networks create a strong use case for long-range, high-capacity business jets capable of direct intercontinental flights. By utilizing the San Marino registry, ACASS likely aims to streamline cross-border operations, regulatory compliance, and maintenance oversight, which can occasionally present challenges under certain local registries.

Sources: ACASS

Photo Credit: ACASS

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Business Aviation

Flexjet Acquires The Jet Business, Names Varsano President

Flexjet acquires London brokerage The Jet Business, appointing founder Steve Varsano as President to strengthen fleet remarketing.

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Fractional ownership provider Flexjet has acquired London-based aircraft brokerage and advisory firm The Jet Business, naming founder Steve Varsano as President of Flexjet and expanding the operator’s capabilities in whole aircraft sales and fleet lifecycle management.

Announced on June 12, 2026, the acquisitions merges The Jet Business with Flexjet’s existing FXSolutions brokerage under a unified platform. The transaction expands Flexjet’s footprint in the European market while providing the company with greater strategic control over the procurement, modernization, and remarketing of its global fleet of more than 340 aircraft.

Strategic fleet management and brokerage integration

The Jet Business will retain its brand identity and continue operating from its corporate jet showroom in London’s Mayfair district. For Flexjet, the acquisition provides an in-house mechanism to manage the transition of aging airframes out of its fractional fleet and optimize residual values.

In a press release detailing the acquisition, Flexjet Chairman Kenn Ricci emphasized the operational necessity of the deal for the company’s long-term fleet strategy.

“A core tenet of our luxury strategy is maintaining one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the industry. To do that effectively requires sophisticated capabilities around aircraft remarketing and transition planning,” Ricci stated.

Ricci added that the acquisition strengthens the company’s platform to move older aircraft out of the fleet gracefully while introducing next-generation aircraft into service for its fractional owners.

Clients of The Jet Business will gain access to a new suite of services branded as Flexjet Solutions. This offering includes aircraft operational support, pre-purchase inspections, maintenance infrastructure, Aircraft on Ground (AOG) response resources, and comprehensive aircraft management.

European expansion and leadership changes

As part of the acquisition, Steve Varsano assumes the role of President at Flexjet. Varsano has built a highly visible profile in the business aviation sector, operating a street-level showroom for corporate jets and amassing a social media audience that includes over 2.5 million followers on TikTok.

“We are well aligned in our belief that clients, at the very top of this market, are seeking far more than access to aircraft. They want trusted solutions that are designed around their needs, delivered by experts, and presented in style,” Varsano said regarding the merger.

The acquisition aligns with Flexjet’s ongoing infrastructure investments in the European market. The company recently opened a Tactical Control Center at Farnborough Airport (FAB) in the United Kingdom. Later in the summer of 2026, Flexjet plans to open a new private terminal at Farnborough, marking its largest infrastructure project outside the United States.

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed by either party.

AirPro News analysis

We view this acquisition as a textbook example of vertical integration in the business aviation sector. Operating a fractional fleet of over 340 aircraft requires a constant, capital-intensive cycle of fleet renewal. By bringing a high-profile brokerage in-house, Flexjet secures a dedicated channel to remarket its older airframes, streamlining the transition process and keeping its core fractional fleet young. Tapping into Varsano’s extensive network of ultra-high-net-worth individuals also provides Flexjet with a direct pipeline to convert whole-aircraft buyers into fractional owners, or vice versa, depending on their changing operational needs.

Sources: Flexjet

Photo Credit: Flexjet

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