TAC Air Consolidates GMU FBO as Chain Positions for 2011 Expansions

TAC Air sold its Greenville, S.C., (GMU) FBO operation to Greenville Jet Center and operations officially transfered at midnight Oct. 29. Terms of the sale will not be released.

According to TAC Air VP & COO Christian Sasfai, the move reflects a growing trend in general aviation FBO services.

“Consolidation has become a necessary component of today’s aviation services industry in order to provide high-quality, low-cost products and services to aircraft owners and operators,” Sasfai said.

Meanwhile, TAC Air is actively pursuing several acquisition opportunities. Sasfai said the company was reallocating its resources to where the greatest opportunities were and that the first acquisition announcement coming in early 2011 with more to follow. 

The other 12 FBOs will continue to operate as usual. However, Sasfai is quick to point out the GMU consolidation is another example of market trends. He predicts the sponsors of regional airports, such as Chattanooga Metropolitan (CHA) who plan to add government funded FBOs where market consolidations have already occurred will be “disappointed” in the outcome.

“Adding a government subsidized FBO where the free market has already undergone consolidation makes absolutely no sense,” Sasfai said.

When asked about the future of TAC Air at CHA, Sasfai replied “TAC Air has invested millions of dollars into Chattanooga and provides more than 30 jobs. There is very little difference between CHA and GMU in that aviation support services can be provided more cost effectively by a single provider; over saturating markets such as CHA and GMU with service providers typically results in higher prices – not lower prices – as each operator struggles to cover its fixed costs.  TAC Air is fully committed to the CHA market and will continue to operate and do everything we can to protect the jobs of our Chattanooga associates.”

For more information on TAC Air, log on to www.tacair.com