FBO fees row heats up after $10bn Atlantic stake deal

Business aviation operators are pushing back against FBO fees as private-equity-backed chains draw more scrutiny. Corporate Jet Investor reports Atlantic Aviation was recently valued at about $10bn in a stake sale to Apollo.

• Deal marker: Atlantic Aviation stake sale valued company at about $10bn
• Signature Aviation: less than 1% of transactions had an event fee in the past 12 months
• Signature costs: airport rent and concession charges up more than $90m from 2021 to 2025
• Signature investment: more than $3.6bn in capital across safety, infrastructure and tech
• Atlantic Aviation: special event fees are less than 2% of turnover

A fight over private jet ground fees has become louder as large FBO chains attract bigger infrastructure money. Corporate Jet Investor reports that KKR recently sold a stake in Atlantic Aviation to Apollo Global Management in a transaction valuing Atlantic at about $10bn.

Operators complain that FBO chains have more pricing power at key airports, especially around special events. Signature says less than 1% of its transactions over the past 12 months incurred an event fee, while Atlantic says special event fees are under 2% of turnover. Signature also says its airport rent and concession charges rose by more than $90m between 2021 and 2025.

The argument is not just about invoices. FBOs control the front door to many airports: ramps, terminals, fuel and handling. If operators think access is being priced unfairly, the pressure could move from grumbling to lobbying, industry action or legal challenges.