Charter Spotlight: Fargo Jet Center
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Air Charter Guide recently spoke with Darren Hall, Vice President of Business Development at Fargo Jet Center (FJC). FJC, based at Fargo, ND’s Hector International Airport (KFAR), has been a leading provider of aviation services to local, regional, and worldwide clients for over 25 years.
FJC is unique in the aviation industry by providing a full range of aviation services, including aircraft charter and management, a full-service FBO with (24/7) US Customs onsite, maintenance, avionics, aircraft interior and paint services, special mission aircraft modifications, aircraft sales, and flight training. Specifically, for aircraft charter, they operate to destinations all throughout the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean.
FJC is also an active member within the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Avfuel branded FBO network, the Paragon Aviation Group network, the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), along with several other local and regional groups.
1) Charter travelers tips and know-how – how do you guide a customer through the process?
A company’s focus on safety should be the priority when choosing an air charter operator. We have operated continuously and without incident since 1995, invest heavily in safety, training, and maintenance, and continue to stay on top of the ever-changing regulations set forth by the FAA.
Arranging a trip through us is very simple. We receive most requests via phone call, email, or through our website contact form, which allows the client to provide us with all the information necessary to deliver them a quote at their convenience. We also have a charter representative available seven days a week to help field their questions and requests.
We evaluate each request and provide recommendations for airports and FBOs closest to the client’s destination - many new customers don’t know of all the smaller airports available for them to fly into, for example - or that fit the mission the best. We can also help plan their entire itinerary, making it the most efficient schedule for cost and time.
Understanding our client’s needs helps us deliver a seamless experience, during and beyond the flight. Our team also arranges in-flight catering, ground transportation, hotels…everything needed to make the client’s trip relaxing, comfortable, and productive.
2) How would you describe your fleet or flagship aircraft?
We currently operate a fleet of King Air 350s and a Lear 60.
3) What does the future look like for your company?
In addition to aircraft charter, we see more and more opportunities to provide turn-key aircraft management services. From helping the client with their aircraft evaluation, search, and acquisition to pilot crew and maintenance management, trip scheduling, and flight following, we take care of all the details for a seamless experience for the owner.
4) How did you get into aviation?
I grew up three blocks from the airport in Minot, ND where my dad worked for the airlines. I had always been interested in the industry and took my first flying lesson in 1988. I’ve been hooked since and have been working and having fun in aviation for the past 35 years.
5) What is your most popular itinerary/destination?
One of our clients uses charter as a part of their outreach program, sending specialized medical teams to remote areas of North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota, providing much-needed healthcare to communities in need.
Another common request we receive is to Arizona. While our summers up north are beautiful, the stories you hear about our winters are not rooted in fiction. We have many “snowbirds” who request flights to go south for the winter.
6) Fun stories or narrative to share:
We have operated many different types of flights: business flights, family vacations, traveling to see a favorite sports team or concert, trips to pick up a new pet, etc. However, one client happens to stick out and is the sweetest elderly couple whose husband takes his wife on a trip every year for her birthday. He tells us each time, “As long as she keeps having a birthday, I’ll keep taking her somewhere.”
We are also pleased to have been able to assist many of our FBO-based and transient clients who need supplemental lift when their flights don’t go as planned.
7) Contact Info:
HECTOR INTL.
3801 20TH ST. N
FARGO, ND, United States
Tel: 701-235-3600, 800-770-0538
Fax: 701-237-6887
Email: charter@fargojet.com
http://www.fargojet.com