An FBO is a fixed base operator that can operate totally independent from the state airports and it can operate in an area assigned by concession. The FBO offers services linked to air transport.
The term was coined in the United States after the approval of the Air Trade Act in 1926. Its definition was established by the Federal Aviation Administration as a commercial activity for granting rights, by the airport promoter to operate in an airport and provide aeronautical services.
FBO Services
Among the FBO services that offers are aircraft rental, hangar, fuel, mooring, parking, to the comfort services necessary to ensure maximum well-being while waiting for a flight. Food, lodging, souvenirs, everything that is conventionally demanded by travelers, is arranged by this type of operator.
Many FBOs operate in high or moderate traffic airports. They can be operated by government organizations or the public power of the countries.
FBOs are often considered private terminals. Generally, they are separated from the main airports. They guarantee luxury services that provide comfort to passengers, beyond what public commercial airports offer.
To the passengers, they offer the services of bathrooms, transport in ramp, transfer of luggage, comfortable and luxurious waiting rooms. During the wait, in many FBO, the passenger has services for organizing meetings and business lunches, computer and internet service, document management and work areas for those passengers whose schedules do not allow them leisure time.
The catering services are exclusive and widely satisfactory for demanding palates. These services are arranged in waiting rooms and on board.
Outside the FBO, operators also offer hotel reservation and transfer services. They even offer financial and commercial advisory services for cargo exportation.
As services aimed at aircraft maintenance, most FBOs offer potable water supply services, wastewater changes, cleaning; hangar rental services and hangar connections at other airports.
A flourishing market
Air transport has increased its demand for economic purposes. After the rise of the airplanes, its commercial expansion has been significant,
A number of services and products for the benefit of local, national and international societies have characterized this thriving development: Initially, the spaces from which these means of transfer were accessed were known as flight fields. It was simply flat surfaces, clear and usually far from population centers.
The growth of the population and the aeronautical industry has diversified the set of services for tourism and commercial purposes. In addition to the feeling of safety that involves the transfer by air, compared with the accident statistics in other means of transport.
The airplane is considered the safest means of transport. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Mortality in air accidents has decreased by 56%. The mortality rate is estimated at 0.13 per million passengers transported. These figures give it greater reliability to ensure the safety of passengers.
With the emergence of globalization, airport infrastructure acquires greater importance, both in the international arena and nationally. In addition to this, the technological boom has allowed the optimization of airport systems and equipment. This development has inspired a growing demand.
The Base Operators set – FBO – are born by the need to provide various types of services to general and executive aviation. The first rental companies on Jets, Helicopters, and aircraft were installed in 1975 for executives at the International Airport of Mexico City.
Leaders in FBO
The American magazine Professional Aviation produces annually the Ranking of the FBO Handlers of AL. In that ranking, Panama has led in recent years. The second and third places, in this ranking, are currently held by the Brazilian companies Lider Aviacao, Sao Paulo-Guarulhos, and Lider Aviacao Sau Paulo-Congonhas.
Number ones in Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, Asia, Middle East, and Africa are Manny Aviation Toluca, Bohlke St Croix, Irving Gander, Farnborough Airport Tag, Hong Kong Business AV CTR and Dubai Execujet, respectively.
The criteria for the preparation of the ranking is established by the journal. It is based on apply surveys collected from professional pilots who provide services worldwide.
In addition, a jury composed of experts with extensive knowledge and experience in private aviation makes an accurate and reliable evaluation.
FBOs offer passengers a variety of exclusive service benefits. Internationally prestigious personalities such as Bill Gates do not go through customs and the traditional migratory ranks.
These operators have exclusive customs and migration services. Their aircraft, simultaneously, receive cleaning services, fuel, technical assistance.
The FBOs have improved their services year after year. The improvements have been evident in airports, international and regional airlines, private aviation services, corporate aviation services, the air operations center and cargo aviation.
From the economic point of view, these business units have demonstrated their high profitability, in some cases reaching inter-annual growth equivalent to 44% for a single period.
Operators’ responsibilities
The airport operation includes a set of activities that must be carried out in such a way that the movement of passengers and cargo through the airport are safe, fast and efficient.
For this, the FBO operators, in general terms, must fulfill worldwide, some fundamental responsibilities:
1. Be certified by the aeronautical authorities of the country; specialized airport service companies in fuel supply ratings and aviation security services
2. Maintain continuous communication with the national aeronautical authority, in order to comply with the provisions of the regulations.
3. Establish clear operating procedures for the equipment, transfer, and mobilization of aircraft and vehicles on the platform.
4. Comply with the national regulations of aviation and security for baggage handling.
5. Have a trained staff to issue tickets, boarding passes, document verification, and baggage check-in.
6. Have adequate facilities and offices to provide the service.
7. Manuals of the functions they perform and their procedures.
The responsibilities of the FBO are oriented, in addition to the offer customer´s service, towards the prevention of risks.
There are three types of risks that must be managed successfully by the FBO operators:
1. The risks inherent to the activity (transport of passengers and cargo)
2. The risks derived from operation (management, facilities, circulation, among others)
3. The risks arising from work and social activities
All FBOs must meet the international standards of the region in which they operate. They must have clearly designed and in compliance, operations manuals, standards, procedures, cargo descriptions, industrial safety plans, emergency plans, prevention programs, food handling manuals, dangerous goods, among many others
A reference FBO was installed for the Beijing Olympics in the capital of that city. It has an approximate 2,000 square meters of construction. It was the first fixed base operator of official service in China.
The priority is human life
All airport systems have human life as a priority. It also involves protecting infrastructure, aircraft, vehicles, luggage. In summary, all the goods within the FBO.
Traveling requires many services. Before, during and after your trip, you will surely have the need to hire them.
Nothing easier than having a single front in the service. A multitasking frontrix capable of solving your needs, from the most technical, to those hedonic that seek your maximum comfort.