Menzies Aviation, which provides ground handling for airlines at more than 250 airports around the world, has unveiled Pearl Executive Aviation, its new private aviation handling and FBO division.
Forming the core of the FBO chain is Menzies’ purchase of Flystar Flight Support, a leading provider of business aviation services in the Balkans. Menzies also operates several FBOs in Africa and has a network of private aviation lounges at airports it services, all of which will be rebranded under the Pearl banner.
“We are offering fast-track and business-to-consumer services at airports generally, plus now Pearl Executive Aviation, which is targeting to serve our private aviation customers and selling fuel and providing services at airports in general for private jets that are arriving there,” said Philipp Joeinig, the group CEO of Menzies Aviation and chairman of Pearl.
“We are starting with 40 locations, and we are planning to increase that number by 50% over the course of the next 18 months.”
He told AIN this week at EBACE 2024 that the company has a list of 22 of its airports where it plans to open FBOs during that span. “We have some selected airports in Africa, we have some in Europe, and some in the UK where we are very strong already, and we have the option to have good facilities for our general aviation customers, pilots, and crew.”
Menzies has a presence in five Asian countries as well, and it will then turn its attention to that region. “Asia is the one that comes next after Europe and Africa, but it’s definitely on the radar,” said Joeinig. “At the end of the day, it is important that you can host both crew and passengers at an airport in your own lounge, in your own facility, and you can provide flight support like flight planning, fuel services, and ground handling. We are targeting to provide [these services] to our customers through Pearl Executive.”