Atlantic Aviation expands Ascend savings program across nationwide FBO network

Saving money on the ramp is an attractive proposition for most owners and operators, but a deal at one airport typically means nothing when you land at the next. Atlantic Aviation is an FBO network that already has scale, putting it in a position to offer something many smaller competitors cannot. Its new rewards program, Atlantic Ascend, is its shot across the bow. Network-wide rollout Atlantic Ascend is designed for aircraft owners, charter operators, flight departments and management companies (Part 121 operators, military/government operators, non-fixed-wing aircraft and 100LL aircraft are excluded). The program is free to join and does not require a contract. An initial rollout began earlier this year, and Atlantic has now expanded the program across its nationwide network. Members receive access to discounted, non-negotiated Jet A pricing throughout the Atlantic network. They can also earn quarterly rebates of up to 15% on eligible service fees. But be sure to read the fine print, as the maximum savings requires directing at least 90% of qualifying trips to Atlantic at competitive airports for three or more consecutive quarters. Atlantic says the program was built around fuel savings and operating-cost reduction rather than points accumulation, redemption structures or limited-time offers. Why operators care Many loyalty programs have traditionally focused on points, perks and redemption benefits. For aircraft operators, however, recurring expenses such as fuel and service fees can dwarf the value of traditional rewards. Ascend instead gives Atlantic a way to use the scale of its network to compete for a larger share of an operator's FBO business. The more frequently an operator chooses Atlantic at airports where it faces competition, the larger the potential service-fee rebate becomes. The next thing worth watching is whether competing FBO networks respond with similar network-wide savings programs. A broader response from Atlantic's competitors would provide a useful indication of how much emphasis the industry is placing on operating-cost reduction as a competitive factor.