Providing solutions
Paragon Aviation Group gives independent and mid-size
FBO chains a competitive edge in today’s market
BUSINESS AIRPORT INTERNATIONAL JANUARY 2 0 2 0 | 71
Ten years ago, Paragon Aviation
Group saw the struggle that
independent FBOs were having with sales
and marketing efforts compared to the
larger chains. Paragon knew the solution
would be to harness their power as a
group instead of working as individual
entities. As a collective force, Paragon is
able to provide solutions through targeted
sales, customized network tools and
collaborative marketing efforts to help
their member FBOs stand out and operate
more efficiently.
Since inception, Paragon’s FBO
Advisory Board has served to ensure that
the growth of the network and programs
offered were in concert with the needs of
the member base.
“The Advisory Board is a small group
of owners, presidents, and key managers
of select FBOs in our network that we
rely upon for honest feedback and
suggestions. Our focus is on helping
the FBOs with operational efficiencies,
shared best practices, and direct sales
and marketing efforts. As we grow, it’s
imperative that we continue to focus
on quality, not quantity, and select the
right FBO partners every time,” said
Megan Barnes, president of Paragon
Aviation Group.
With 56 FBOs in 19 countries, this
distinguished membership of elite FBOs
and international handling agents provide
world-class service to general aviation
travelers around the globe.
Carefully vetted FBOs
Paragon performs a comprehensive audit
of the facilities and services offered to
ensure the quality of the member base
before any FBO can join. Paragon knows
that uncompromising safety is the most
important element in aviation. Each one of
its members is NATA Safety 1st Certified
or has completed an equivalent program.
“With our superior safety standards,
it sends a very clear message to our
customers that we are serious about
their well-being,” said Barnes. “This is
a critical differentiator for the discerning
traveler in today’s competitive business
aviation market.”
While it is entirely voluntary, IS-BAH
provides a global standard for business
aviation ground handling agents to meet
SMS requirements. Several of the member
FBOs are IS-BAH certified with many
in the process of becoming certified or
completing Stage 2 or 3.
Member FBO benefits
Having a bigger marketing presence in the
industry is only one of the many benefits
to being a Paragon member FBO.
With monthly e-newsletters and
dedicated email blasts, marketing efforts
are streamlined, consistent, and able to
reach a wider market. To stay current
with analytical trends, FBOs receive
Top: Executive lobby
at Ross Aviation
(KHPN), the gateway
to New York City
Above: The luxurious
ExecuJet FBO
located at Dubai Int’l
Airport (OMDB)
a simplified way to receive weekly fuel
pricing in one convenient file. Member
FBOs can provide customized fuel pricing
to these 900+ flight departments through
this system.
Strategic Partners
Launched last year, Paragon introduced
Strategic Partners, a thoughtfully
vetted vendor program that offers
exclusive pricing to Paragon Preferred
customers. This diverse group spans
many categories from insurance to
maintenance. These first-rate companies
work transparently to provide competitive
or favored nation pricing.
“Along with competitive fuel pricing,
we wanted to give our Paragon Preferred
members an added value by giving
them a group of qualified businesses to
use,” said Barnes. “Our advisory board
specifically chose these companies based
on their reliability and integrity.”
PARAGON AVIATION GROUP
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monthly airport reports that highlight key
insights and provide data to enhance
sales. Throughout the year, Paragon
hosts leadership meetings for senior
management and owners as well as
SUCCESS meetings for customer service
managers, line service managers, sales
and marketing team members. These
meetings include comprehensive on-site
department evaluations with constructive
feedback, shared best practices, and
other networking opportunities. In 2020,
Paragon will hold the first European
leadership meeting in Berlin, Germany.
A primary tool the FBOs utilize is
Paragon Preferred — a free service
offered to flight departments looking for
C O M PA N Y P R O F I L E
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