Jet Access is merging with the Eagle Creek Aviation family of companies. On its own, Jet Access ranks as the 18th-largest U.S. operator based on charter and fractional flight hours tracked by Argus. Both companies are based in Indiana.
At the recent Corporate Jet Investor forum in Miami, executives said the industry is ripe for more mergers and acquisitions.
The integrated company will employ over 380, including over 110 pilots and 75 aircraft technicians. The majority will be based at the company’s headquarters in greater Indianapolis.
The company will include 10 and run 11 flight schools across the country.
According to its website, Eagle has seven Cessna aircraft for charter. That includes a pair of Sovereigns and Bravos and a trio of Excels.
Jet Access has eight light jets, 13 midsize aircraft, nine super mids, and two large-cabin jets.
Among them are six Gulfstream G200s and eight Hawker 800XPs.
Jet Access has operations in Indianapolis, Columbus, and Shelbyville, Indiana; West Palm Beach, Florida; Mattoon and Quincy, Illinois; Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; and Dallas, Texas.
Eagle Creek Aviation includes First Wing Jet Center in Zionsville, Indiana, which operates the FBOs at the Indianapolis Executive Airport (TYQ) and Frankfort/Clinton County Airport (FKR).
Its website shows a jet card scheduled to launch in Spring 2002.
Several big jet card sellers have halted accepting new customers. However, around 40 providers are still offering fixed or capped rate cards with guaranteed availablity.
A Jet Access jet card would join FlyExclusive and Jet Edge. Both large operators launched their first jet card programs in the past 18 months.
According to a press release the new company will be the “only wholly integrated, full-service private aviation enterprise” to offer charter, joint ownership, management, aircraft sales, repair and overhaul, rental, avionics sales and installation, hangars, flight training, and FBOs.
“We have strategically designed an integrated vertical business model,” said Jet Access President and CEO Quinn Ricker. “This will create unparalleled value for our customers, offering turn-key private jet travel and services significantly below the cost of our competitors—all on a national scale.”
Ricker continued, “The combination of our two companies, and more importantly the incredibly talented people that make them great, will create enormous opportunity within the marketplace to innovate, create jobs and bring value to our current and future customers, all while making Indianapolis a national private aviation hub.”
Matt Hagans, Eagle Creek Aviation Founder and CEO, added, “We believe when we combine Eagle Creek’s decades-long technical expertise and reputation in the industry with the innovation and growth orientation of Jet Access, we will unleash the potential to become the country’s preeminent provider of the full scope of aviation services.”
