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California has a new premier provider of FBO services with Air Center San Diego's recent acquisition of San Diego Jet Center's FBO assets. Air Center announced Friday it had bought the FBO's assets at Brown Field Municipal Airport (SDM) on April 10.
The acquisition includes all FBO facilities including the main terminal building, which Air Center has already begun providing FBO services out of. Air Center is committed to improving its on-field presence by constructing a state-of-the-art facility that is expected to be completed in late 2025. The company has already broken ground on the facility.
The new facility is located at the east end of the taxiway. It will include a 14,400-square-foot FBO terminal, a 74,000-square-foot hangar complex and offer many upgraded amenities for FBO services on the airfield. The terminal will have roomy seating spaces, conference rooms, a well-equipped kitchen and a dining area. The hangar complex will be built to accommodate aircraft up to a Gulfstream G650. Air Center is moving forward with the facility upgrades while retaining the San Diego Jet Center team. Many of the team members bring over 20 years of experience with the FBO and have a reputation for providing excellent customer service to clients in the area.
"We are so excited and grateful to welcome San Diego Jet Center's knowledgeable, reliable team members to the Air Center family," Air Center San Diego Customer Service Manager Brittany Favero said. "Their contributions are pivotal in facilitating a smooth transition to the Air Center brand. We look forward to modernization and streamlined approaches, while keeping intact the commitment to customer satisfaction that defines the operation."
Air Center San Diego is led by industry veteran Scott Owens, serving as COO and executive vice president with 40 years of experience. Owens has played a major role in the success of McClellan Jet Services since its founding in 2001. His responsibilities include leasing one million square feet of airfield buildings to drive aviation development initiatives, overseeing FBO operation and providing strategic guidance in the development of the Sacramento McClellan Airport. Favero will manage daily operations at Air Center San Diego with Jason Ponchetti, the general manager. Favero has two decades of industry experience, managing front office and marketing functions at McClellan Jet Services (MCC), contributing to the launch of the Coast Air Center (MYF), streamlining operations at APP Jet Center (HEF) and founding her own business, FBO Fix. Ponchetti brings 30 years, serving as GM for jetCenters of Colorado's Denver location (APA) and running one of the largest independent fueling operations in the U.S. He led the company to a steady top-25 Pro Pilot FBO rating each year.
Air Center is set to transition to its new east-end FBO as the sole operating facility in 2025. This week, Air Center San Diego has been running out of the existing facilities in the main terminal building. Current facilities feature accommodations for guests like a passenger lounge, a game room with a pool table, a kitchen area with vending options and complimentary crew cars. Guests will continue to have access to all services like ground handling, transportation, U.S. customs and other specialized requests.