Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Atlantic Aviation came to this year’s NBAA show with an expanded exhibit and confidence in the future of the company’s 72 U.S. FBOs at 67 locations (some airports have multiple facilities).
“We’re putting the final touches on the total integration of all the FBOs we bought in the last 36 months,” said Atlantic CEO Lou Pepper. All Atlantic facilities, except some Aero Services bases in Alaska, have been rebranded under the Atlantic umbrella. “The Alaska clientele are familiar with that name,” he said, “so we decided not to disrupt that applecart.”
The past year, Pepper said, “has been extremely trying for the whole industry. But we feel like we have more than our share of the best locations, and there are still opportunities out there.” Atlantic is interested in continuing to expand, but the recession hasn’t caused FBO owners to lower their prices. “A lot of times owners don’t want to let go at this new shift in value,” he said. “They remember the days when [their FBO] was worth more, and this hasn’t created the boom of buying that one would think.”
The Atlantic Aviation chain has FBOs only in the U.S., but may someday expand to other countries. “We remain keen on buying quality and adding to our chain strategically,” Pepper said.
Atlantic has spent millions over the last three years on renovations and has more to come. “We haven’t slowed down one bit in capital expenditures,” he said, “improving facilities, ramps, interiors. We just can’t afford to not continue to capitalize our business. There’s been no slowdown there whatsoever.”
Pepper remains optimistic about the FBO business. “It has been under great pressure,” he said. “We’ve come through great challenges, but the business is still sound and viable. We’re well positioned, with the right locations and the right business model to take advantage of the continued viability of our industry.”

Integrated FBO chain ready to grow again

Atlantic Aviation came to this year’s NBAA show with an expanded exhibit and confidence in the future of the company’s 72 U.S.

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