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Travelers looking to spend the holiday season in Hawaii can enjoy a warm welcome with the opening of the new premier FBO option, the Big Island Jet Center at Kailua-Kona's Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (HKO).
Pilots and passengers can enjoy the warm welcome and amenities with Big Island Jet Center before the end of 2023. The FBO will welcome guests starting Dec. 14, a few weeks after the soft opening.
"We couldn't be happier to open in time for the holiday season, providing exceptional services to Hawaii's seasonal traffic and general aviation community alike," Big Island Jet Center's Senior Partner David Johnston said. "Kailua-Kona is home to exquisite resorts; our aim is to offer that exclusive resort experience from wheels down to wheels up as the airport's sole independent FBO. Big Island Jet Center is an investment in the private aviation experience, an investment in the airport and an investment in the Kailua-Kona community. We're ready to take luxury to new heights."
The FBO complex can be found at the south end of the runway in a temporary terminal. Private aviators can enjoy the large patio and the indoor and outdoor amenities. The FBO offerings include the airport's only fuel farm and general aviation ramp, spanning nine acres and capable of supporting aircraft up to an Airbus A319. Big Island Jet Center offers full FBO services and through partnerships with local hotels, resorts and activity centers it provides exclusive access to discounts.
Under the leadership of an experienced aviation team, Big Island Jet Center provides premium customer care for the unique needs of flight operators. The team members are trained in fuel safety and security through NATA Safety 1st and the in-guest services are an aviation-focused version of the Ritz Carlton training program. Travelers will be given the best in safety and hospitality with the Big Island Jet Center team and facility.
The temporary terminal is ready for the December opening but Big Island Jet Center is preparing for its next phase. The FBO is preparing to construct a world-class, 7,500-square-foot executive terminal. The island FBO offers a distinctive Hawaiian feel, with true "aloha spirit," while offering cutting-edge amenities and services like waiting areas, restrooms, high-tech conference spaces and wireless connectivity from the facility to the ramp. The team anticipates construction to be completed in late 2024. Phase two includes the construction of environmentally sensitive hangars, all to be built to the highest standards of Hawaiian building codes with regard to environmental factors like wind and storms.
With the start of operations at Big Island Jet Center, the partnership with Avfuel Corporation is set to begin. As an Avfuel-branded FBO, Big Island Jet Center will offer competitive rates with Avfuel Contract fuel, streamlining the process with the Avfuel Pro Card and rewards through AVTRIP.