Mark Huber is an aviation industry veteran who has worked in the flight training, aircraft sales, aircraft component, and airport development businesses. He has flight time in more than 50 different and diverse aircraft, including helicopters, aerobatic aircraft, vintage warbirds, jet fighters, business jets and turboprops, and transport-category aircraft. He has jumped out of several of these—on purpose—with a parachute. His defense and aviation journalism has been published in a variety of national and international periodicals.

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Mark Huber

Wheels Up's&nbsp;board of directors has given the company’s top executives new pay packages even as it continues to grapple with large financial losses, according to documents filed over the last several weeks with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. CFO and acting CEO Todd Smith received a $150,000 annual raise, 140,171 shares of stock, and a lump-sum potential bonus equivalent to 150 percent of base salary. Smith’s base salary, including&nbsp;the recent raise, is estimated by AIN to be $725,000, based on the company’s 2022 proxy statement filings. Based on Wheels Up’s current stock price, Smith’s package could have an annual value of nearly $2 million.&nbsp;
Meanwhile, Wheels Up gave its executive chairman, Ravi Thakran, an annual consulting contract with a base value of $655,000, the potential for an annual bonus equal to that amount, 160,000 shares of stock, King Air flight hours, and an expense allowance.
Wheels Up lost $101 million in the first quarter&nbsp;and $555 million in 2022. It is expected to announce second-quarter results later this month. In a conference call with analysts in May, Smith hinted that the company would likely continue to lose money as it shifts&nbsp;to a more regional business model&nbsp;but said he believed profitability will be achieved next year.&nbsp;Wheels Up also announced hourly price rate cuts from 5 to 13 percent, effective this month.

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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