Private jet operators push back on FBO fees

Corporate Jet Investor reports rising anger from operators over special event and access fees at private jet terminals. The dispute comes as Atlantic Aviation is valued at about $10 billion and large FBO chains defend their pricing.

• Atlantic Aviation deal valued the company at about $10 billion
• Signature says less than 1% of transactions had an event fee
• Signature says airport rent and concession costs rose by more than $90 million from 2021 to 2025
• Signature says it invested more than $3.6 billion in capital projects
• Published September 28, 2026

Private jet operators are getting louder about fees at FBOs, the airport terminals that handle business aircraft. Corporate Jet Investor reported complaints from Flexjet, Tradewind Aviation and others about event fees, access costs and pricing power at large chains.

The money involved is big. Atlantic Aviation’s latest transaction valued the FBO network at about $10 billion, while Signature says event fees touched less than 1% of its transactions over the past year. Signature also says its airport rents and concession charges rose by more than $90 million from 2021 to 2025.

For passengers, FBO fees are usually hidden inside trip quotes, but they affect the cost of private flying. The fight also shows how ground infrastructure has become one of the most valuable parts of the private aviation business.