Bilen FBO Sees Traffic Grow In Turkey, Following ExecuJet Alliance

Turkey’s Bilen Air Services is here at EBACE (Stand 2130) promoting its new strategic partnership with ExecuJet Aviation, as the Istanbul Ataturk Airport FBO is now part of the Swiss-based business aviation services group’s growing chain of handling operations. The agreement took effect in September last year.

“Actually, we are offering full FBO services, although Turkish law prevents us from taking passengers directly from our lounge to the apron,” assistant general manager Tolga Asan told AIN.

Bilen estimated its FBO’s traffic level has been between 30 and 35 aircraft per month since November, and is increasing thanks to a growing number of business aircraft on the Turkish registry, he said.

In addition to the FBO activity, Bilen holds management contracts to operate 14 business aircraft. Working with holders of air operator’s certificates (since Bilen does not hold its own AOC), these aircraft are offered for charter when available.

Another Turkish bizav service company–Gozen Air Services–is exhibiting here in Geneva (Stand 2023). From its headquarters in Istanbul, it provides flight planning and handling supervision at airports across Turkey.