What Is An FBO? A Complete Guide to Fix Based Operators

Unlike commercial airlines, private jets and charter flights primarily use FBO, Fixed Base Operation, for arrivals and departures. If you are new to traveling by private or charter planes, you might be wondering, what is an FBO? In this article, we discuss the key features and services offered by an FBO.

“FBO” means “Fixed Base Operator”. An FBO is an organization granted the right by an airport to operate at the airport. The FBO provides services such as fueling, hangaring, tie-down and parking, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, and flight instruction. An FBO caters specifically to private and charter flights.

The history behind the term “Fixed Base Operation” dates back to the early 20 ^th century. Before the U.S. Air Commerce Act was passed in 1926, transient pilots (known as “barnstormers”) offered passenger flights and airshows. They traveled around the country and landed in farmers’ fields rather than in airports. The U.S. Air Commerce Act of 1926 regulated aviation support businesses for maintenance and training standards, leading to the new term “Fixed Base Operation” because of the development of fixed airport addresses.

While Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) play a crucial role in private aviation, not every airport is equipped with these facilities. Here’s what you need to know:

FBO availability isn’t universal. While larger airports and private jet hotspots often feature multiple FBOs, smaller regional airports may lack these facilities entirely.

Commercial airports, primarily serving scheduled airline flights, typically have limited or no FBO services. In contrast, private airports are tailored to accommodate private and charter aircraft, making FBOs more common.

If you’re flying into an airport without an FBO, your charter operator may arrange services through a local handling company. Some commercial airports offer private terminals with FBO-like amenities, bridging the gap for private flyers.

In essence, while FBOs are prevalent in many aviation hubs, their presence isn’t guaranteed at every airport. Researching your destination ensures access to the services essential for a seamless travel experience. Now that you can answer “What is an FBO?”, lets take a deeper dive into them.

Arriving at an FBO (Fixed Base Operation) sets the stage for a seamless and personalized travel experience. Here’s what to expect:

1. Ground Handling & Parking

Trained professionals guide your aircraft to its spot under an expansive canopy, ensuring sheltered arrival and departure.

2. Fueling Services

Swift and reliable refueling services are available 24/7, aligning with your schedule for added flexibility.

3. Passenger Services

Upon disembarking, enjoy a warm welcome and access to amenities like hotel reservations and ground transportation arrangements.

4. Crew Support

Pilot lounge amenities, including complimentary gourmet coffee and wireless internet access, provide a tranquil space for planning or relaxation.

5. Concierge-Level Assistance

From catering to rental car reservations, our dedicated team ensures your preferences are met with unwavering attention to detail.

Arriving at an FBO isn’t just a stop—it’s the beginning of an elevated travel experience designed to exceed your expectations.

At a minimum, an FBO sells aviation fuel, provides space for parking, and supports take-off and landing. Many FBOs will provide maintenance services as well. At J.A. Air Center, our comprehensive FBO services include the following:

In particular, we have fuel and maintenance services that are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our staff of certified mechanics and aviation professionals work around the clock to ensure that every arrival and departure is convenient, safe, and welcoming.

Basic amenities at an FBO are a seating area, Wi-Fi, and restrooms. Most FBOs also include a pilot lounge area to allow pilots to relax between flights.

At J.A. Air Center, we offer extensive amenities to pilots and passengers in our spacious FBO, including the following:

Whether you are a pilot or a passenger, our goal is to provide you with a relaxing stop between your destinations and first-class support to make your trip even more enjoyable.

One of the top advantages of private flights is the ability to forego the long lines for security that are a standard inconvenience at commercial airports. According to the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) , the average wait time at commercial airports is 30 minutes (as of January 21, 2019). Of course, wait times can easily become longer during times of high-volume traffic, such as around the holidays.

Although an FBO still implements security measures for the safety of crew and passengers, the significantly lower volume of traffic means that security can be quick and relatively hassle-free. The TSA has outlined minimum security measures that apply to an FBO. In the United States, passengers on a Part 135 charter flight need to provide current government-issued identification. The passengers must also be on the passenger manifest. In addition to meeting TSA standards, FBOs may be subject to safety regulations from state, regional, and/or local authorities.

If applicable, passengers will be subject to immigration checks. There may be additional screening in airports outside the United States, such as luggage searches and full-body scanners.

Many FBOs implement additional security measures for enhanced safety. For example, an FBO may have on-site security personnel and surveillance cameras.

FBOs are spread throughout the United States. In fact, private aviation in the United States has access to over 5,000 airports (compared to less than 500 for commercial airlines). Additionally, some larger airports have two or more FBOs. There are as many as six FBOs on-site in airports with a high volume of private jet flights, such as Teterboro Airport near New York and Van Nuys Airport near Los Angeles.

You can check online databases of airports (such as aopa.org ) to find a list of all FBOs in your area and what services they offer. If you are arriving/departing from an airport that does not have an FBO, your charter operator may still be able to arrange the flight using a local handling company.

FBOs are meant to service private aircraft and charter companies; therefore, they will only be located at airports that offer private jet services. Private and commercial airports are usually completely separate, but some commercial airports have private terminals with FBOs.

Most operators will allow you to change the FBO selection when booking a private flight as a passenger. Services such as  FlightBridge  facilitate reservations for pilots and flight departments at 1000+ FBO.

J.A. Air Center is the Midwest’s leading aviation support facility. Our FBO features a fully appointed terminal and offers concierge-level services to pilots and passengers. Over 150,000 square feet of space at J.A. Air Center means ample room to house private jets and flight departments. Professional fueling and maintenance services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

For more information about our FBO services , call our FBO Manager, Randy Fank, at 630.549.2106. You can also fill out our online contact form or make an FBO reservation online using FlightBridge .