Story ID: 
Fuel manager trims clients’ costs
By: David A. Lombardo
Caption: If dealing with the price of fuel consumes more of your time than any other facet of running your department, Everest Aviation Resources has a solution.
Word Count: 482
If dealing with the price of fuel consumes more of your time than any other facet of running your department, Everest Aviation Resources has a solution. “We’re a fuel management company,” Noel Donald, president and CEO of the Baytown, Texas company, told AIN. Donald said the company searches every location its Part 91 and 135 clients use to ensure they are getting the best pricing. “We put together the buying power of all of our clients and go directly to fuel vendors, FBOs and oil companies. We research pricing, negotiate on behalf of the client, arrange the fuel for them, and then confirm it with the FBO when the client is ready to go.” According to Donald, the company’s service has something to offer large and small flight departments alike. He explained, “Small flight departments, one or two aircraft, clearly don’t have the buying power to command a discount on their own, but even large flight departments can benefit from our service. We purchase about 800,000 gallons of fuel a month. How many operations have that much influence?” On average the company saves its clients about 30 to 35 cents per gallon over what they were paying before joining the network. Part of the initial consultation, said Donald, is analyzing what the client has done in the past and suggesting changes to keep costs under control. “We specialize in counseling our clients to help them control their costs. We’ll talk to them about the advantages of fuel card programs such as the BP Sterling Card or Chevron Alliance Card, if it makes sense for their operation,” he said. The service doesn’t end with negotiating the best price. “We also audit every transaction. We hold both the pilots and the vendors accountable for the agreement,” he explained. “If there’s a discrepancy, such as the pilot getting billed for more than was agreed upon, we handle it.” In addition, beyond finding the best fuel price, the company searches for the best deal based upon the flight department’s priorities. “Everyone wants the best price they can get on fuel, but some clients will have a higher priority,” Donald said. “For example, a client might require the use of a conference room at the destination. We’ll do the research; find out who offers what the client needs, then work to get the best fuel price possible while meeting those needs. We’ll also research landing fees, tiedown fees and other costs involved at a given airport. What we do is put together the best package possible based on the client’s requirements.” The client pays a monthly fee for the service and Everest Aviation Resources has no financial tie to the FBO, oil company or reseller. “Our fees range from $450 to $650 a month per aircraft based upon the size of the aircraft,” Donald said. The company also offers a discount for multiple aircraft.