Fly Bessemer

The Bessemer Airport FBO is the quiet jewel of West Jefferson County, Alabama, just west of Birmingham. Bessemer, aka "The Marvel City", is undergoing tremendous residential and commercial growth under the leadership of Mayor Kenneth Gulley and the Bessemer City Council. The Bessemer FBO is in very close proximity to the commercial municipality of Hoover, Alabama. The Bessemer Airport is ideal for those seeking business, leisure, or retail interests in the area as opposed to flying into the more densely populated Birmingham and its airport (BHM). The airport receives large traffic during college gamedays of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In 2020, despite its small staff, the EKY accommodated massive overflow air traffic and runway parking diverted from Tuscaloosa's airport to accommodate for then President Donald Trump and Air Force One during a Crimson Tide home game. The airport staff due to the professional leadership and training of airport manager Mr. Tim Wasyluka, the EKY dispensed record fuel and marshalled a record number of in/outbound flights.

Given the unique work environment, a great FBO manager such as Mr. Tim Wasyluka must be a success driven leader that's energetic and knows how to motivate a staff to deliver the best optimal service for customers. He's demonstrated a wealth of knowledge of principles and procedures involved in the professional operations of the airport. An effective manager will consistently demonstrate their competency in knowing the federal state, and local regulations and laws regarding airport operations.

For passengers and flight crews alike, the EKY provides a convenient and luxurious air travel experience. Public airports are extremely busy, congested, and are often subject to unpredictable flight delays and other impediments. Public air travel can be a stressful experience even for seasoned travelers. With sudden gate switches, flight cancelations, and other issues, flying through public terminals can be disruptive and confusing. 

Therefore, the FBO experience that the EKY provides seeks to overcome some of these major issues by providing a private, peaceful, and seamless way to fly. With private amenities, passengers and flight crews can relax and wait for their flights in clean and spacious waiting areas. With robust service offerings, passengers also enjoy the benefits of additional support in making traveling easier and more comfortable.

When you walk into the Bessemer Airport, you immediately can see that the city of Bessemer, through the Bessemer Airport Authority is committed to presenting a top-notch facility that is capable of handling the demands of 21st century air travel. The FBO is equipped with most creature comforts of the contemporary traveler and air crews. The host restaurant is the Hangar Bar and Grill situated a few hundred feet away from the FBO. Due to the geographical location of the airport being situated more so in a residential area, it is not in immediate close or walking proximity to major chain establishments such as restaurants and hotels. However, the airport does offer courtesy vehicles that are able to gain access to such establishments in a relative short time and distance under seven minutes.

The key to operating a successful FBO is the acquisition of premier talent. The talent must first and foremost be trained in how to positively engage with the public. Furthermore, they must be very knowledgeable about customer service as it relates to the customer's and passenger's needs. Also, they must be knowledgeable about aviation specific issues and the ever-evolving aviation industry and how to service a diverse fleet of aircraft. Oftentimes, anything that can go wrong, usually does. Therefore, personnel must be well capable of multi-tasking.

Given the nature of handling aircraft ranging from $100K to multimillion dollar turbine jet aircraft and military aircraft as well, operating an FBO comes with a host of potential issues. Some of the consistent issues facing FBO's are handling fees, parking fees, ramp fees, and fueling costs. All of the fees at the EKY are very reasonable and competitive with those of nearby FBO's at the Shelby County airport and Atlantic Aviation West and Million Air at the BHM-Shuttlesworth International Airport. As Bessemer and Hoover, Alabama have seen steady growth over the past four years, the overall quality of service has tremendously improved with the construction of additional hangars built, runway improvements and flight schools now taking residency in the airport.

The EKY is easily recognized as a very profitable FBO. One way an FBO can increase its revenue and market share is by attracting new customers during peak holiday family travelers, special events, and business travelers. Hoover is the commercial magnet for west Jefferson County. Hoover had a strong economic growth report for 2023 and is positioned to continue adding to the quality of life of Hoover. The city of Hoover's Building Inspections Department issued more than 6,000 construction permits valued at $600 million in 2023. More than 1,000 business licenses were approved in 2023. In addition to this, the Riverchase Galleria is a part of the reason why Hoover is a retail destination. Revenues per square feet for the Galleria are the highest that they have ever been in seven years. This translates into out of town/state travelers choosing to fly into the EKY to gain access to an upper bracket shopping experience. It also provides corporate leaders and personnel to have access to the companies that they represent or those seeking to create and conduct commerce in Hoover.

There are major residential developments taking place in the Everlee community near Lake Cyrus and Ross Bridge that will boast of more than 2,300 homes and more than 100,000 square feet of commercial space across 833 acres. A new amphitheater and entertainment district are also in the works. These venues and projects merely make Hoover a greater attraction and the EKY will provide easy access to them.

Perhaps the most decisive factor in selecting an FBO is fuel. One of the most vital services that an FBO provides is fuel. The crews at the EKY FBO are well trained and capable of refueling a pilot’s plane expeditiously so they can continue their flight. All FBO's, regardless of size, provide aircraft with fuel. Tier one and tier two FBOs offer jet fuel for turbine aircraft, and all FBOs offer avgas for piston-powered engines. Some FBO's have fuel farms while others may also provide self-serve fueling for smaller aircraft.

In addition to providing and selling fuel, FBOs also facilitate the sale of aircraft. Given their vast network of customers, Some FBO's such as EKY may also have aircraft parts in stock for sale to aircraft owners through the Aircraft Maintenance Company.

Their facilities are located at the Bessemer Airport. Due to a consistent record of providing four start quality service, they have built a substantial clientele mainly consisting of turbo prop and turbine aircraft based over the Southeastern United States.

Their main objective, as a company, is to build long term relationships with their clients, many of whom are return clients.

The Bessemer Airport (EKY) is the prime FBO corridor in West Central Alabama. Whether domestic or international travel, the EKY is more than capable of providing a top tier customer service envelope to compliment your travels. If you are seeking hangar space for your aircraft, you have maintenance needs, are seeking to fly in or outbound, Make the EKY your prime choice.