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.

Contributor

Mark Huber

Wheels Up today appointed George Mattson as CEO. He is a board member of Delta Air Lines, the current lead investor and chairman of seaplane operator Tropic Oceans Airways, and a former partner at the investment banking firm of Goldman Sachs, where he was responsible for oversight of transportation and airline practices.
Mattson is expected to join the company in October and will be based in Atlanta, the location of Wheels Up’s new operations center. Acting CEO and CFO Todd Smith will remain with the company. Smith was appointed acting CEO in May after founder and CEO Kenny Dichter stepped down. Dichter remains on the company’s board.
Mattson’s appointment drew praise from Dichter. "I am very enthusiastic about the future of Wheels Up," he said. "George is an exceptional choice to lead the company through this important time.&nbsp; He will serve customers, employees, and stakeholders consistent with the elevated experiences that have always defined Wheels Up. The entire Wheels Up community has my unwavering support on the journey ahead."
Delta CEO Ed Bastian also offered positive comments."With new leadership in place, Wheels Up is well-positioned to drive strategic, operational, and financial improvements for its customers and stakeholders in the months and years ahead,” said Bastian, whose company has infused Wheels Up with $60 million over the last month and is part of a consortium that will control 95 percent of the company for a combined investment of $500 million once that deal is completed. Delta is currently the largest shareholder of Wheels Up with a 20 percent stake that it received in 2020 when it combined Delta Private Jets with the company. &nbsp;
"I look forward to leading the Wheels Up team, with the operational, commercial, strategic, and financial support of Delta and our other new investors,” said Mattson. "Our alignment with Delta provides an incredible opportunity for the first time in aviation history to create seamless experiences between the separate ecosystems of private and commercial travel. Delivering best-in-class operating performance and exceptional customer experiences, consistently and profitably, will attract more members to our community as we begin the next chapter of the Wheels Up story."
For the first six months of 2023, membership and charter company Wheels Up logged more Part 135 hours than any other operator—70,258—according to Argus International. During that time, the company also lost $261.5 million and more than 1,000 members. In 2022 it posted a loss of $555 million on $1.58 billion in revenue. &nbsp;

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

Private Air Services Provider Wheels Up Appoints Mattson CEO 

Delta board member George Mattson will join Wheels Up as CEO in October

Wheels Up has appointed Delta board member George Mattson as its new CEO.

Wheels Up Appoints New CEO

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Europe-based group is adding a pair of Bombardier Global 8000 jets, plus a 6500

Middle East and Africa Fuel Comlux’s Charter Growth

Matt Thurber

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Lack of rental engines is a focus of the complaint

ATI Jet Lawsuit Alleges Hourly Service Plan Setbacks

The Hong Kong-based operator now has almost 50 business aircraft

China’s Sino Jet Expands Charter Fleet with Second G700

Jessica Reed

Program launches with HondaJet HA-420 and Bombardier Challenger 3500

Honda Aircraft Unit Backs Thrive Fractional Jet Program

Amy Wilder

Elite Jets, MaxAir keep names, add Priester co-brand

Priester Aviation Unifies Companies under One Brand

Program lets non-members compare pricing before booking

BlueSky Extends Pricing Access to Non-members

Hourly rates range from turboprops to VIP airliners

Paramount Business Jets Guide Details 2026 Charter Rates

Kerry Lynch

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

More In Charter & Fractional