F B O O P E R A T I O N S
Meridian at Teterboro Airport, New York, USA
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“The right
employees make a
first rate FBO”
Ken Carley, airport director at the
hub at McKinney Air Center
Located at McKinney National Airport, McKinney
Air Center was voted the best FBO in the USA
in the 2018 Pilots’ Choice Awards. The FBO
processes 1,000 jet arrivals and departures
each month, with its busiest period annually
stretching from May to September.
Ken Carley, airport director at the hub,
says, “Passengers love the FBO because of the
level of customized service they receive. They
communicate their needs to us and we deliver.
“The airport is located on the fringe of the
Class B airspace, so it is easy for the pilots to fly
in and out of the airport. Moreover, there are a
number of business hubs that are located within
minutes of the airport.”
The facility has corporate hangars, on-site
car rental, crew cars, gourmet catering, pilot
sleep rooms, ramp side vehicle access, and an
abundance of aircraft apron space to name just
a few of its offerings.
There is also a recently opened 40,000ft2
(3,710m2) hangar and an executive terminal
is planned to open later this year. Carley
understands the importance of constantly
evolving both the site and personnel to create
the best possible outcome for its customers.
“We are fully prepared to invest
in new and additional equipment,
facilities, infrastructure and
personnel to accommodate
the growing demand for
aviation services and
infrastructure,” he says.
“We plan on becoming
more technologically advanced with both our
customer reservation system as well as our
aircraft tracking.”
While McKinney Air Center strives to offer the
best in services and facilities, Carley believes
the high standard of its employees are what
makes the FBO different to its competitors.
“Hands down, the right employees make a
first rate FBO,” says Carley. “Once we have the
right people in the organization, we
maximize attention to detail with
a focus on safety and service.
Superior service, world-class
facilities, convenient location,
and highly supportive airport
sponsor are all factors that
support the best FBO.”
Meridian’s FBO at Teterboro Airport has been voted the best in the
northeast of the USA. The facility handles around 80 jet arrivals and
departures every day, with peak periods spanning from May to June and
September to mid-December.
In addition to FBO services, the company provides private air charter,
aircraft management, and FAA-approved Part 145 repair station services
that include turbine and piston.
“Our FBO has been recognized by industry surveys as being one of the
nation’s best,” says Betsy Wines, vice president of customer service and
human resources at Meridian. “We have always made our customers feel
at home. As a result, we have many long-time clients. The proximity of our
airport and FBO to New York City is just one of the many reasons that our
customers come to us. We are located just nine miles from Manhattan.”
In 2018, Meridian opened a 40,000ft2 (3,710m2) hangar near its Teterboro
FBO, creating more opportunities for customers coveting hard-to-find
hangarage at the airport. In addition, the company is currently exploring
replacing another Meridian hangar on the south side of the airport with
a brand new larger structure. Meridian is also working with the airport’s
governing agency to acquire land positioned adjacent to the airport in
order to extend its ramp space.
Meridian’s Teterboro FBO boasts an Art Deco-style movie theatre, a
pilots’ lounge with billiards table, sleep rooms, workstations, and an open
kitchen that flight crews can freely access. Later this year, the company
plans to undergo an interior facelift that is to include new paint, carpeting,
wallpaper, and furniture in the main lobby.
“It’s all about the people,” summarizes Wines. “Well-trained and caring
staff make all the difference.”
McKinney Air Center, Texas, USA
“It’s all about
having trained and
caring staff. It makes
all the difference”
Betsy Wines, vice president of
customer service and human
resources at Meridian