Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company based at Teterboro Airport, was getting the word out last week at the NBAA Regional Forum in Van Nuys about its new facility in Hayward, CA, just 350 miles up the road. It was an important event for Meridian to communicate its future plans for the region because the new FBO and hangar facility at Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) is expected to be open for business this fall. For the first time, the company will have FBOs on both coasts. Seven representatives were there to help deliver the message from various business units, including Air Charter, Aircraft Management, Customer Service, Fuel Sales, and Marketing.
The Forum, held on Thursday, June 9, set a new record for number of attendees and indoor exhibitors for the venue, as about 2,000 people came out to hear from industry officials about the latest business aviation news, meet with the 145 exhibitors on a sold-out exhibit floor and have a look at the 21 aircraft and five vehicles on a sold-out static display. Historic Van Nuys Airport (VNY) contributes about $1.3 billion to the local economy, said Jeffery Daar, a commissioner for Los Angeles World Airports, which oversees VNY.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen took the opportunity to update attendees on the FAA reauthorization debate underway in Congress. The current funding extension for the FAA expires on July 15. In April, the Senate overwhelmingly passed H.R.636, with strong bipartisan support. The bill, Bolen noted, addresses many key issues ranging from streamlining the certification process to security issues, to the use of unmanned aircraft systems. However, Bolen continued, the Senate bill does not include a “dangerous” proposal to privatize the Air Traffic Control (ATC) system, fund it with user fees and have it overseen by an airline-centric board of directors – a proposal contained in the House version of the legislation, Bolen said. Read more about NBAA’s support for H.R.636.
“It remains vital that the nation’s airports and airspace continue to function in the public interest, rather than at the behest of a private entity,” Bolen concluded. “We want the U.S. to remain the world leader in aviation five, 10 and 25 years from now, without going down the risky path of turning over the air traffic system over to a combination of self-interested parties.
Forum attendees also heard from Jess Romo, VNY manager, and Glen Martin, FAA regional administrator of the Western-Pacific region, during the opening session. Following that, three education sessions were offered. A session entitled, “A Buyer’s Guide to a Successful Aircraft Transactions” was presented by Stephen Hofer, Aerlex Law Group; “Creating Public-Private Partnerships at Business Aviation Airports” was presented by Curt Castagna, Van Nuys Airport Association and; Sonnie Bates and Terry Yeomans from the International Business Aviation Council conducted a session on the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations and the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling.
The next NBAA Regional Forum will be held on Thursday, September 15 at Westchester County Airport (HPN) in White Plains, NY.
Tag: Van Nuys
Aviation Sales Executive
Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company based at Teterboro Airport in Teterboro, NJ, is pleased to announce that MaKayla Hambek has been named Aviation Sales Executive at Meridian Air Charter. Ms. Hambek is a proven industry professional with experience in sales, marketing, client relations, customer service, and office management. She will be responsible for growing the Meridian brand in Hayward, CA, by developing the retail charter business on the West Coast. She will be located at a new Meridian sales office at Van Nuys Airport in Van Nuys, CA.
MaKayla began her aviation career with Baymark Aviation at Van Nuys Airport as an Assistant Office Manager. The following year, she moved across the field to Castle & Cooke Aviation, a nationally recognized Fixed Base Operator, where she became a Customer Service Representative. Since January 2013, MaKayla served as Client Relations Manager, where she was responsible for business development at all three Castle & Cooke locations. Her work experience and business management degree from California State University, Northridge, has well-prepared her for new role at Meridian Air Charter.
Mike Moore, VP of Aviation Sales, had this to say, “Meridian will be opening a new FBO and hangar at Hayward Executive Airport in 2016, which will also serve as our base of operations for our Charter and Management businesses on the West Coast. MaKayla’s role will be to help build our brand in Hayward and throughout California. She will be a great asset to our organization because of her experience and enthusiasm. We are truly excited to have her join our team.”
Meridian, the award-winning private aviation company based at Teterboro Airport (TEB), proudly exhibited at the NBAA Regional Forum held last Thursday, June 26, 2014, at the Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in Van Nuys, CA. The company was well-represented with a team of five, who were there to network and meet with West Coast customers and friends, both old and new. Meridian was able to attract a good crowd at its booth throughout the morning because they were showing the World Cup soccer game that featured the United States vs Germany. While the outcome of the game was not favorable for US soccer fans, the outcome of the show was quite favorable for exhibitors and attendees alike!
NBAA’s Business Aviation Regional Forums are designed to meet the local needs of aviation businesses by providing a venue for exchanging information about specific airport policies, environmental protocols, safety and security proposals, taxation and other issues. At the same time, these events offer an opportunity to underscore the importance of the industry to local leaders in business and government.
NBAA hosts several regional forums each year, bringing together local owners, operators, manufacturers, customers and other industry personnel. The next regional forum will be held on Thursday, September 18, 2014, at Dallas Love Field in Dallas, TX.
Teterboro, NJ, April 18, 2012 – Meridian, the full-service, private aviation company based at Teterboro Airport (TEB) in NJ, was well-represented at the NBAA Regional Forum held at Van Nuys Airport (VNY) in CA on Thursday, April 12, 2012. Meridian staffed an exhibition booth with six of its people to represent the company, greet visitors, discuss its vast array of private aviation services, and sponsor a raffle for an Amazon Gift Card. The lucky winner of the raffle was Raquel Cabrera of Skybird Aviation – Congratulations Raquel!
The Regional Forum drew more than 1,600 attendees, 112 exhibitors, and 16 aircraft, which were featured in a static display. One of the aircraft was the Bombardier Global 6000, which made its debut at the event. The Regional Forums, which are sponsored by the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), provide a premier marketplace and a venue for discussing industry trends like iPads in the cockpit and federal excise tax issues for management companies. The next Regional Forum will be held at Teterboro Airport on Thursday, June 7, 2012.