Odyssey Aviation Construction Well Underway at New Orleans Lakefront (KNEW)
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Construction on Odyssey’s new, world-class jet center at New Orleans Lakefront Airport (KNEW) is now 25 percent complete. Odyssey has come a long way since Katrina when, back in 2005, owner Ken Allison faced destruction and an uncertain future for his New Orleans FBO. Recently, Odyssey celebrated the groundbreaking on its new permanent location at the main entrance to Lakefront. By year’s end, visitors will be welcomed by a contemporary FBO in place of today’s temporary facility.
The new executive terminal/hangar complex will have a state-of-the-art conference room featuring a 100” screen with projector and big screen TV for presentations and other audio visual needs and offer complimentary wireless access to all guests. Outfitted with multiple, private work stations the flight planning room will be equipped with a WSI weather system. The atrium lobby will feature multiple flat panel televisions for guests’ viewing pleasure and the pilots' lounge will provide not only quiet areas and a media area, but also crew workstations with wireless printing capabilities and courtesy phones. An added bonus is the view of the expansive ramp and Lake Ponchatrain from nearly every area in the main complex. The hangars are capable of housing a G-V size aircraft, and there will be overflow parking areas for both vehicles and aircraft. “As we look back on the destruction of Katrina and the economic uncertainties facing general aviation in recent months, it’s a welcome sight to look at this new structure rising out of these challenging times," said Ken Allison, President and CEO of Odyssey Aviation. "This New Orleans FBO has boasted a successful operation supporting Lakefront Airport for 27 years." Allison said the mission of Odyssey Aviation was to continue to provide its guests with consistent, quality and safe aviation services at affordable and competitive prices while promoting and safeguarding the welfare of all employees and earning the respect and loyalty of the flying public. About Odyssey Aviation:
Odyssey Aviation New Orleans is one of seven branded locations owned and operated by the Cincinnati-headquartered FBO group led by Allison. Established in 1988, this wholly-owned group of FBOs is one of the fastest growing families of independent FBOs, and employs 150 people system-wide. Allison recently rebranded his locations at Asheville (KAVL), Charleston, (KCHS), Chicago (KMDW), Cincinnati (KLUK), Columbus, (KCMH), Lafayette (KLFT) and New Orleans, (KNEW) as Odyssey Aviation locations. Odyssey was formed as a joint co-branding and marketing partnership between Allison and his longtime friend, Steven Kelly, President and CEO, Odyssey Aviation Nassau, Bahamas (MYNN). The Odyssey brand name made its debut at Kelly’s operation in 2008.
Located in Asheville, N.C. (KAVL), Charleston, S.C. (KCHS), Chicago, Ill. (KMDW), Cincinnati, Ohio (KLUK), Columbus, Ohio (KCMH), Lafayette, La. (KLFT), Nassau, Bahamas (MYNN) and New Orleans, La. (KNEW), Odyssey Aviation is a partnership of eight Flight Service Partners throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Together, it offers FBO services including ground support, parking, hangar, fuel, catering, rental cars, pilot lounges, courtesy vehicles, up-to-date flight planning rooms, wireless internet as well as varying amenities such as concierge service, showers, beverage bars and modernized luxurious lounge areas for pilots and passengers. Also notable, Odyssey Bahamas has 24-hour Customs and Immigration located in the facility.