Integrates Orion Flight Service Facilities Into Its Operations

Basler Flight Service at Wittman Regional Airport has consolidated FBO services at the airport by integrating the Orion Flight Service facilities with its operations and becoming a dealer of Shell aviation fuels.

Basler and Eastern Aviation Fuels, the national marketer of Shell aviation fuels and Orion’s owner, are still “fleshing out the details,” a process that may take a week or so, said Tom Weigt, president of Basler Turbo Conversions, Basler Flight Services parent company, “but we’ve made the agreement and are moving forward.”

“A number of positives are coming out of this business decision,” said Airport Director Peter Moll. “The future looks bright for Wittman Airport and those businesses.”

A news release posted online by airport management indicates Basler is investing more than $750,000, said Weigt, “some right now and some later,” to acquire Orion’s facilities, including its two 12,000-gallon above-ground 100 Low-Lead avgas and Jet-A storage tanks and its 100-by-120 foot hangar, built several years ago.

Some may see the change in fuel affiliation as the most significant aspect of the consolidation. Basler Flight Service has been a Phillips 66 dealer for 32 years. And before that, said Weigt, it was a Shell dealer. As it often does in business, affiliations come full circle. What has not—and will not—change is the level of service Basler provides to its customers.

Discussions with Eastern Aviation Fuels about the consolidation have been proceeding for some time, he said. “This was just a unique opportunity to put our FBO on a more solid financial footing that the limited volume environment didn’t permit.” For FBOs nationwide, business challenges have existed for decades as the general aviation market has contracted, and the Wittman consolidation will sustain both businesses today and well into the future.

FMI: www.baslerflightservice.com