This article is based on an official press release from Desert Jet.

Desert Jet Expands to Colorado, Managing New Hangar Complex at Yampa Valley Regional Airport

Desert Jet, the Thermal, California-based business aviation service provider, has announced its first major expansion outside of its home state. According to an official company announcement released on December 17, 2025, Desert Jet has secured an agreement to manage and operate two newly constructed hangars at Yampa Valley Regional Airport (KHDN) in Hayden, Colorado. The airport serves as the primary gateway for the popular Steamboat Springs ski destination.

The agreement marks a significant strategic shift for Desert Jet, which recently divested its charter subsidiary to focus exclusively on Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and maintenance services. By partnering with developers Wiens Real Estate Ventures and HDN Hangar Investment Group, Desert Jet aims to address a critical infrastructure gap in the Colorado high country while laying the groundwork for a future full-service FBO presence.

Addressing the High-Country Hangar Shortage

The expansion comes at a time of acute demand for private jet infrastructure in the region. According to data cited in the announcement, private jet operations at KHDN have surged by over 75% in the last five years. Despite this rapid growth, the airport has not seen the construction of new hangar facilities in nearly two decades, with the last significant additions completed in 2006.

The new development, which broke ground in September 2024, includes two heated hangars designed to withstand the harsh winter climate of the Rockies. Each hangar measures 28,800 square feet, creating a combined total of approximately 57,600 square feet of premium storage space. The facilities are scheduled for completion in the fall of 2025, timed to coincide with the 2025-2026 ski season.

Desert Jet emphasized that the facilities are engineered to accommodate the largest ultra-long-range business jets currently in operation, including the Gulfstream G800 and Bombardier Global 8000. This capability is essential for the high-net-worth demographic frequenting Steamboat Springs, who often require indoor, heated storage to prevent ice accumulation and protect sensitive aircraft systems during winter stays.

Strategic Pivot and Future FBO Ambitions

This expansion follows Desert Jet’s strategic pivot in September 2024, when the company sold its charter division to Advanced Air. That divestiture was intended to free up resources for expanding the company’s FBO and maintenance footprint. The KHDN project represents the first tangible result of that strategy.

Jared Fox, CEO of Desert Jet, highlighted the significance of moving into the Colorado market:

“We are proud to extend Desert Jet’s national reputation for service excellence to Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley. This expansion represents the next chapter in our mission to deliver the highest standard of aviation services to new destinations across the country.”

While the current agreement focuses on hangar management, providing secure storage and handling for based tenants and transient aircraft, Desert Jet has explicitly positioned this move as a “foundational step” toward establishing a world-class, full-service FBO. Currently, Atlantic Aviation holds the monopoly on full-service FBO operations at KHDN. Desert Jet’s entry introduces a potential competitor to the field, signaling long-term plans to compete for fuel sales and comprehensive ground handling services.

Tim Wiens, Principal of Wiens Real Estate Ventures, expressed confidence in the partnership:

“We are excited to partner with Desert Jet, whose reputation for excellence in aviation services aligns perfectly with our vision for Yampa Valley. This collaboration is a pivotal step in enhancing the aviation experience in this world-class destination.”

AirPro News Analysis

The entry of Desert Jet into Yampa Valley Regional Airport represents a classic “beachhead” strategy in the FBO industry. Breaking into an airport with an established incumbent monopoly, in this case, Atlantic Aviation, is notoriously difficult due to lease restrictions and space limitations. By securing management rights to independently developed real estate, Desert Jet establishes an operational footprint without immediately needing to build a fuel farm or terminal from scratch.

This move also reflects a broader industry trend where FBOs are decoupling from charter operations to specialize in high-margin ground infrastructure. With the “hangar shortage” affecting an estimated 71% of General Aviation airports nationally, companies that control the physical space for large-cabin jets hold significant leverage. If Desert Jet successfully transitions this hangar management contract into a full FBO license, it could significantly alter the pricing and service landscape for private aviation in the Colorado Rockies.

Sources

• Desert Jet Press Release