Contributor - Business Aviation

Dale Smith

There’s no debating that the years following the pandemic have seen a renaissance of business aviation activities around the world. In fact, according to the&nbsp;General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), 2025 was a banner year, with some 854 new business jets&nbsp;delivered, marking an 11.8% increase from 2024 and the highest output since 2009.
While most of these new aircraft went to established operators, industry insiders say that about one-third went to first-time buyers. In many cases, these individuals and companies are buying because of positive experiences with charter or fractional-ownership programs.&nbsp;
Unbeknownst to many of these new owners is the often “sticker-shocking” reality that, in today’s world, owning and operating any aircraft is an extremely complex, expensive, and time-consuming undertaking. It’s a common cause of bizjet “buyer’s remorse.”
But there is a solution. The Zurich-based global aircraft management company Comlux was founded in 2003 to support a single client’s operations.
“That client wished to have their own aircraft, and have it professionally served, and that was our beginning,” states Comlux Group COO Andrea Zanetto. “Today, there are many individuals and companies who want the same level of professionalism and convenience, especially if their operation is becoming more complex through the addition of charter or increased intercontinental flights.”
So, an aircraft owner who wants to benefit from all of the safety, security, and flexibility provided by aircraft ownership – but who doesn’t want to deal with all the daily requirements – simply hires an aircraft operational services provider and “enjoys the ride.”
Well, it’s not quite so simple. Like everything in private aviation, the reasons for wanting an aircraft management company or aircraft services provider are as vast and varied as the people who operate private aircraft.
For example, the aircraft’s owner may want or already have a flight department that, for numerous reasons, needs the added expertise they don’t have in-house. Or perhaps they are looking to put their aircraft on a Part 135 on-demand charter certificate and need an experienced aircraft manager to handle all FAA or EASA regulatory compliance documentation. Or they want to expand into more international flights.
“We have the capabilities and expertise with the various certification requirements to operate a complex aircraft legally and safely, with the added ability to understand the needs to manage a high-value asset like an aircraft to ensure that the owner is getting exactly what they need,” Comlux’s Zanetto says. “It can be very complicated, so we recommend that any individual or corporate aircraft owner who wants to be served professionally select a provider that has both management capabilities and certification know-how that fit their situation.”
“Flexibility matters, and is core to the JSSI model” JSSI’s Bourke adds. “For example, not every owner needs the same maintenance program or coverage, and a good services partner should be able to customize around specific assets, utilization profile, risk tolerance, and operational profile – rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution.”

<h2>What to look for in an aircraft management company</h2>
As JSSI’s Bourke explains, “The right services provider brings aircraft and operational expertise, regulatory knowledge, safe infrastructures and established vendor relationships, and knows how to coordinate them all for the aircraft owner’s benefit. The larger management companies often have broader fleet experience and a wider geographical footprint. At the same time, smaller, more specialized firms may offer deeper expertise in a specific aircraft type or regional market,” she says.
Our experts agree that selecting the right professional aircraft services provider should be handled much the same way the owner selected their aircraft in the first place: namely, start with a list of how they want to operate the aircraft and find a provider that best meets those needs.
For example, with so many individual and small companies seeking to offset the costs of their aircraft through Part 135 charter operations, it’s best to start with a services provider that has recent experience in what’s required to put an aircraft with an on-demand operator.
“Both FAA and EASA charter certification requirements are very complex today, and the management company’s experience is very important to the owner,” Comlux’s Zanetto explains. “But there are other areas that are equally important for a successful charter operation. What is the management company’s reputation? How good is their image and marketing? Are they able to reach worldwide all the individuals who may charter your aircraft?”
He adds that, because Comlux is both an experienced private aircraft management company and an active global charter operator, he’s seen firsthand the difference an excellent reputation makes in the market.
“In the end, it’s not your aircraft they are ‘buying,’ it’s the reputation of the management company and charter provider,” Zanetto says.
The bottom line is that aircraft owners need to take their time and practice due diligence during their selection process. You are trusting a highly valuable asset to your aircraft manager or solutions provider, and the more you know about who that company is and how their particular services and expertise can help you, the better.

<h2>Successful aircraft management is the sum of its parts</h2>
While operating under a charter certificate is optional, routine inspections and maintenance are not. This means a critical part of your aircraft management or service provider’s portfolio of capabilities is how and by whom your aircraft’s maintenance is handled.
“That’s a complicated question. The airlines always know where they are flying, but with business aviation today, you can never know where the airplane is going to be when it needs unscheduled maintenance,” Comlux’s Zanetto says. “It’s much better to have very good relationships with many MROs and suppliers, rather than a strong relationship with one.”
“On top of that, the aircraft’s owner needs to have control to choose where the maintenance will be performed,” he continues. “We recommend two or three options that may be geographically different for the owner to select from, then we consult with them to make the final decision.”
The global company’s portfolio of services, complemented by its strong relationships with a vast network of aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, is why so many aircraft management companies work with JSSI’s experienced technical team when it comes to selecting the right facility for inspections, maintenance, aircraft upgrades, and other operational services.
“We are an independent aviation services company that partners with management companies to help them deliver better outcomes and maintenance planning for the aircraft owners they represent and serve,” JSSI’s Bourke explains. “From day one, every aircraft on a JSSI program has a dedicated service representative, a technical advisor, and, where applicable, a dedicated product line specialist for their specific engine or airframe.”
“JSSI helps management companies fulfill their core obligation to the aircraft owner by supporting maintenance services that ensure the aircraft is available when the owner needs it and that costs are predictable,” she continues. “For example, our hourly maintenance programs—uniquely covering all assets across most business aviation platforms, including engines, airframes, and APUs (auxiliary power units)—provide budget stability.”
Another way that JSSI can help the aircraft’s management company plan and control budgets is through its popular Traxxall maintenance tracking platform. “It gives the aircraft’s managers full visibility into upcoming scheduled maintenance so they can plan ahead and minimize downtime,” Bourke says. “When a major inspection is approaching, our technical team works alongside the management company to benchmark costs, review estimates, and ensure nothing surprises the aircraft owner.”
And speaking of budgets, another benefit to JSSI’s unique business model is that the company’s support contracts are not bound by the constraints of OEM-owned maintenance networks, so the aircraft’s management company can choose the MRO that best fits the immediate needs.
“Additionally, JSSI’s established relationships with maintenance facilities across the industry mean that our clients often benefit from our negotiated agreements and purchasing power – savings and access that an individual owner or management company may not be able to secure on their own,” Bourke adds. “JSSI’s guidance before, during, and after maintenance delivers significant value to the aircraft’s owner – and in turn, to the management company.”

“A company’s longevity, financial strength, experience with your type of operation, and a spotless safety record are very important. Still, it’s critical to find a company with a demonstrated culture that is a good match for your operation. If you operate internationally, it’s also important that they have recent experience working with diverse cultures.”
—Andrea Zanetto,&nbsp;Group COO, Comlux

<h2>There’s no “free lunch” in private aviation</h2>
No doubt you’re wondering what all the time- and money-saving conveniences provided by a professional aircraft management or operational services provider cost? Well, according to our experts, while every situation is different, the fees are “minimal” when compared to the overall budget of owning and operating a business jet.
“Everything is negotiable in this business, and we like to learn about the owner’s needs and goals and discuss up front what we feel is applicable for their situation,” Comlux’s Zanetto says. “It’s very important to have total financial transparency, and that’s important to look for in a management company. The owner needs to know and control everything they are doing.”
“Our fee structure is very simple and clear. In most cases, the owners prefer that we create a fixed-fee-per-month because it’s so much easier to budget for,” he continues. “Any additional costs incurred are passed along directly to the owner at cost, with no handling fees on our part.”
And while many aircraft owners may focus on the “bottom line,” both Comlux’s Zanetto and JSSI’s Bourke stress the need to consider how much time and money the services they provide can actually save for owners’ in-house flight departments.
“The management company can help reduce the overall costs of the operation by efficiently managing all the various regulatory, outside costs, and supply chain activities, including procurement, purchasing, training, and controlling the costs of goods and services we buy on behalf of that owner,” Zanetto says. “It’s also important to look at the service provider’s ability to optimize the aircraft’s availability so the owner continues to be able to use it to its maximum benefit.”
“One mistake customers often make is making their selection by the final price,” he continues. “There are so many other things to consider, including the types of ‘value-added’ services like coordinating inspections and maintenance intervals to increase aircraft availability.”
As JSSI’s Bourke explains, helping the aircraft’s owner achieve optimum aircraft availability is another reason why management companies like the company’s “independence.”
“Management companies often operate mixed fleets under one roof, and because JSSI is manufacturer independent, we’re a consistent partner across all those aircraft—even for those not on one of our programs,” she continues. “For example, through JSSI Parts and Engines, we can supply parts and rental engines for their aircraft, which helps minimize AOG (aircraft-on-ground) time whenever possible.”

“The most important thing is to look for a partner whose strengths fill the gaps. An aircraft management company handles operations, while JSSI handles the financial, technical, and analytical infrastructure that supports those operations. Ultimately, the best solution is the one whose strengths align with what matters most to your specific operation.”
—Julie Bourke,&nbsp;Global VP of Client Services, Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI)

<h2>The bottom line is enhanced aircraft operations</h2>
The truth is, doing your homework to find the right aircraft management company or service provider for your situation is the only way to ensure that you choose the right fit.
But as JSSI’s Bourke and Comlux’s Zanetto share, the benefits of that search can deliver so many benefits that take so much of the stress and worry out of everyday operations.
As Bourke says, “For an aircraft owner or business operator, the benefit is clear: they get expert oversight of a highly complex, heavily regulated asset. In that regard, the owner focuses on flying when they need to, while the professional aircraft services provider handles everything that makes it possible.”

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In this article

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