Story ID: 
Fly Louie Alliance Grows Despite Covid Headwinds
By: Jerry Siebenmark
Caption: The network of independent charter operators now numbers 140 operators and 1,000 aircraft.
Word Count: 229
Fly Louie Alliance has signed up more than 140 operators and 1,000 aircraft to the independent charter network in less than a year, it announced today. This is expected to increase the private charter network's purchasing power as it adds more members and services. Unveiled last fall, the alliance has no enrollment fees or fuel purchase minimums.

Under its fuel savings program, total fuel sales continue to grow, despite a slowdown caused by Covid-19. Fuel sales have since recovered, increasing 41 percent in the third quarter compared with the second quarter. A new partnership with Avfuel will expand the fuel savings program with access to the fuel provider’s preferred FBO network. Alliance members pay better-than-contract fuel rates at more than 40 FBOs across the U.S., with an average savings of 40 cents a gallon compared with their next best option.

In June, the alliance announced a crew travel program with Hotel Connections, offering up to 40 percent savings on hotel stays at more than 1.6 million locations. Also in the offing is a fleet scheduling program called Connect that is in early testing.

“We have only just scratched the surface of what’s possible in creating value for our members,” said Fly Louie CEO Julia Takeda. “The scale of the alliance creates opportunities for more efficient fleet scheduling, employee healthcare and benefits management, and pilot recruitment.”