Eastern Aviation Fuels and Shell Aviation applaud Wilson Air Center in their newest venture at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). Under a unique agreement with the City of Charlotte, Wilson Air Center will manage the FBO formerly operated by Signature Flight Support. The Airport will retain ownership of the facilities, but Wilson Air will run the day to day operations as well as being responsible for short and long term management strategies.

This arrangement came as a result of CLT’s desire to offer a better level of service and more competitive fuel prices. Once the lease held by Signature expired, the airport decided to operate the FBO. A public bid went out on behalf of the City seeking FBO management services.

Wilson Air was one of sixteen FBOs who submitted a bid. This number was then narrowed to four, and after on-site visits to each of these FBOs, the choice was clear. Wilson Air Center was awarded the contract and the
doors would officially open on February 1, 2005.

The next step was to find a fuel supplier. After learning that Eastern Aviation Fuels had won the bid, Dave Ivey, Vice-President of Wilson Air Center said “I could not be more pleased about this. As we deal with Eastern and Shell on a daily basis in Memphis, it was a natural transition to use Eastern in Charlotte, said Dave. We truly could not have opened so professionally and safely without the help of Eastern’s dedicated staff.”
This plan was the business model of Aviation Director Jerry Orr and lead to one of the largest FBO management contracts in the United States. By assuming control of the FBO, Mr. Orr accomplished his business strategy to enhance service and offer competitive fuel pricing to corporate aircraft visiting Charlotte.

With seven Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Charlotte and 286 represented in the Charlotte metropolitan region, Mr. Orr recognizes the important role that corporate aviation plays in the success of
the region.

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