NEWS

This article is courtesy of The CEO Magazine.

Atlantic Aviation has become renowned in general aviation for its service and hospitality, commitment to safety and technological progress. CEO Jeff Foland has the company poised for further growth, thereby advancing the ‘state-of-the-art’.

Everywhere there’s general aviation, there’s usually a fixed base operator (FBO). Such FBOs operate in airports of all sizes and serve private and business jets, along with other aircraft such as turboprops and even helicopters.

FBO facilities often include lounges for passengers to wait in comfort for their flights, and even rest quarters for aircraft crew. Its critical services range from aircraft ground handling, including fueling and flight line services, to providing ramp and hangar space.










“We can always reinvent the future, we can always learn, we can always stretch ourselves and improve.”

In the rapidly developing FBO market – and the dynamic general aviation sector – Atlantic Aviation has emerged as an industry leader, acquiring and now operating more than 100 FBOs at airports across the United States and the Caribbean.

But even with this remarkable growth, CEO Jeff Foland sees continuing opportunities for Atlantic Aviation to expand its geographical footprint, introduce advanced technologies and improve on all aspects of the business – including its commitment to safety and renowned customer service.

“There’s still considerable opportunity to grow and optimize the footprint of our network,” Foland tells The CEO Magazine. “There are also markets where we currently exist, which we can grow further through the creation of new facilities and services.”

LOCAL EVERYWHERE

Founded in 1927, Atlantic Aviation has provided critical infrastructure to the aviation sector for nearly a century.

The Plano, Texas-based company expanded rapidly under former CEO Lou Pepper, who led Atlantic Aviation for three decades. He described the company as being “local everywhere” – these words, he explained, were not a mere slogan but rather reflected the culture and tastes of its local communities.

It’s reflected in the FBO facilities, including those designed by JRMA Architects Engineers, which specializes in aviation design and has been a long-time Atlantic Aviation partner.

Foland joined Atlantic Aviation as CEO in August 2023, having previously held executive positions in the travel industry with United Airlines and Hertz, and served as CEO for off-airport parking company The Parking Spot.

On assuming the reins of the fast-growing Atlantic Aviation, he says he’s enthused by the opportunity to lead Atlantic Aviation into its next phase of growth. But while he describes the company as “thriving”, he says he also sees room for advancement.

“We can always reinvent the future, we can always learn, we can always stretch ourselves and improve,” Foland says.

A PASSION FOR ADDING VALUE

Adding value for Atlantic Aviation’s stakeholders continues to be his passion. “What really motivates me is creating value – real, meaningful and durable value,” Foland explains. “Establishing a work environment that constantly challenges itself and the status quo, always seeks more and, importantly, is a lot of fun as well.”

Throughout his interview with The CEO Magazine, Foland speaks emphatically of “advancing the state-of-the-art”, which is a commitment to implementing cutting-edge technology, providing top-notch customer service at FBO locations and recommitting to the company’s culture of safety. A key partner in this regard is technology firm Asinpa, which has powered Atlantic Aviation’s digital transformation and supported the team’s acquisitions and commercial initiatives.

“We can advance the state-of-the-art of our commercial activities, revenue management operations and digital mobile application. It’s really the collection of those things that have and will allow us to successfully grow,” he says. “It’s the ability to synchronize those efforts to drive considerable value as we go forward.”