While you were glued to your television during the dramatic Super Bowl LI, you probably missed all of the action going on behind the scenes in Houston. Local FBOs at Hobby Airport (HOU) such as Jet Aviation, Atlantic Aviation and Million Air began working months in advance to ensure that everyone who arrived at their facilities received quality aircraft services. Just as the Patriots overcame a 25-point deficit to beat the Falcons, these FBOs overcame specific challenges to pull off a successful Super Bowl weekend.
Hobby’s Jet Aviation began preparing for the event by sending out informational notices to old and new customers four months in advance. Eight staff members from other Jet Aviation locations around the U.S. were flown in to provide support at the facility. The FBO also offered NFL-themed gift bags in the lobby while those who passed through the facility had the opportunity to win raffle prizes.
Jet Aviation’s challenge was that it was limited to 80 reservations throughout Super Bowl weekend. However, the facility was easily able to accommodate approximately 200 to 300 people between Friday and Sunday. In addition to regular maintenance, the FBO offered catering and rental car services for customers. According to v-p and general manager John Langevin, the FBO pumped 50,000 gallons of fuel on Sunday and approximately 100,000 gallons over the weekend.
Atlantic Aviation’s Hobby location had its own unique challenge during the weekend. The facility has been undergoing construction and renovation since 2014 and opened one week before the Super Bowl. While the company's terminal and hangars were ready for business, only a quarter of the ramp had been completed in time for the Super Bowl. Nevertheless, crewmembers working alongside volunteers from other Atlantic locations were able to move aircraft in and out of the FBO.
Atlantic’s regional manager Al Archuleta told AIN that besides calling in volunteers, the Hobby facility also brought in extra equipment to handle the influx of aircraft coming in over the weekend. At Hobby Airport, Atlantic received 131 reservations while its George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) location saw 144 reservations. Each of these locations pumped approximately 100,000 gallons of fuel over the weekend. According to Archuleta, the number of people who used the FBO “surpassed the budget numbers.”
Million Air possibly had the biggest obstacle of all: accommodating Air Force 2. While the FBO had been planning for Super Bowl 51 for more than a year, general manager Scott Helms told AIN that he found out U.S. vice president Mike Pence would be flying into Million Air just a few days before the event. Helms said that Million Air officials worked closely with the Secret Service to ensure that the facility and surrounding area were safe and secure for the v-p as well as others flying into the FBO.
Overall, Million Air saw 250 reservations from Thursday through Sunday. The FBO brought in extra staff members as well as local industry and non-industry volunteers to make sure all tasks ran smoothly. Helms said that special teams for towing, catering, transportation and other necessities were also established.
According to a press release from Houston Airport System, more than 100,000 people passed through HOU and IAH each day during the week before and the week after Super Bowl LI. With approximately 190,000 passengers leaving through HOU and IAH on February 6, it was “the largest single-day passenger lode [sic] of the year” for airports in the Houston Airport System, said the group.
