JSX founder and CEO Alex Wilcox said his public charter operation is “reviewing its options” after the Orange County board of supervisors approved new FBO lease agreements on Tuesday that effectively shut out JSX from operating at John Wayne Airport (SNA) in California. SNA serves as one of JSX’s earliest and largest markets. “[We’re] hopeful we can find accommodation from the airport,” Wilcox told AIN after the vote.
The new lease agreements with ACI Jet and Clay Lacy Aviation include clauses that prohibit subleases to “regularly scheduled commercial service.” Instead, airport officials have recommended JSX use the main passenger terminal. That’s counter to JSX’s business model of operating as a hybrid charter service from FBOs using 30-passenger Embraer regional jets with business-class seating and boarding that avoids TSA chokepoints.
In an earlier interview with AIN, Wilcox said options for JSX could include legal action or permission to operate from another part of SNA that’s designated a non-Security Identification Display Area, permitting JSX customers to board its aircraft and avoid the TSA lines.
With the new leases approved, JSX won’t be able to use ACI Jet as a terminal beginning Jan. 1, 2021.