Beating out numerous private airport operations companies, Sugar Land Regional Airport has been named the No. 1 fixed-base operator in the Western Hemisphere.
In its annual Top 40 Fixed-Base Operators ranking, Aviation International News named the city owned and run Sugar Land airport FBO at the top of its list, beating out five-time winner Wilson Air Center in Memphis, Tenn. The magazine ranks FBOs in North, South and Central America.
Sugar Land’s FBO was rated at 9.09 out of a possible 10 points, the only operator ranked above 9. In 2008, Sugar Land ranked No. 5 on the list with 8.74 points, and Wilson ranked No. 1 with 9.03.
“Fixed-base operations” are the airport service centers that provide aircraft fueling, facilities for pilots and crew, catering, parking and other avaiation services.
“Being part of AIN’s ‘best-of’ list is the gold standard in the corporate aviation industry,” said Sugar Land Director of Aviation Phil Savko. “The ranking is the result of an assessment given by pilots familiar with FBO facilities and services. More than 2,660 surveys were completed and returned this year for AIN’s FBO comparison, up from
1,963 last year. This is one of the highest honors that an FBO can
receive.”
The rankings were compiled in part using results of reader surveys rating FBOs that they use. Four categories were listed: “Line service,” passenger amenities, pilot amenities and services, and facilities.
The 2009 rankings came amid a difficult year for airport FBOs. According to AIN, all combined business aircraft activity dropped more than 42% in January 2009 comparied to January 2008 – meaning less business and revenue for the operators.
Sugar Land Regional Airport, the fourth-largest in greater Houston, focuses on corporate avaiation. According to a statement from the City of Sugar Land, the airport is used annually by more than 100 Fortune 500 companies.
