Aviation Services & FBOs – Industry Analysis, Statistics, Trends, and Forecasts

SIC 4581 | NAICS 48811

This free online guide to industry research and analysis provides sources for industry statistics, trends, and forecasts, financial ratios, salary surveys, and more.

See the following sections listed below to view available resources by category:

Industry Analysis, Statistics, Trends, and Forecasts

Financial Statements and Financial Ratios

Compensation and Salary Surveys

BV Guides and Databases

For guides to other industries, see our index of over 400 industries.

Industry Analysis, Statistics, Trends, and Forecasts

Industry Research Reports
Airport Operations (view report)
Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (view report)

Comprehensive industry research reports provide in-depth industry analysis and five-year forecasts, with special focus on the underlying structure and external forces and relationships that affect industries and their performance. Topics addressed in the reports include:

Market size and major product and service segments
Key industry statistics, trends, and financial ratios
Operating conditions and current performance
Competitive landscape and environment
Major company profiles and market shares
Five-year outlook and growth forecasts

Sample industry research report and selected industry statistics including market size, five-year average growth rate, number of businesses, and total employment are available free online.

National Air Transportation Association
Resources available from this trade association include:

Aviation Business Journal
https://www.nata.aero / past-issues
Quarterly trade magazine features news and information for aviation services companies, with topics covered including industry news and events, aircraft charter and management, fuel and line services, aircraft maintenance and repair, flight training, airline services, safety and risk management, financial and technology issues, marketing, and human resources. Archived issues can be viewed free online.

Industry Statistics and Information
https://www.nata.aero/
Statistics section provides information on the number of fixed-base operators (FBOs), the number of FBOs operated by airports, and the percentage of airports with one or more FBOs and also includes information on general aviation fuel consumption by type of fuel (e.g., avgas, jet fuel) and the number of active general aviation and air taxi aircraft and hours flown by type of engine (e.g., piston, turbine).

Queensmith Communications Corporation
Professional Pilot Magazine
https://www.propilotmag.com/

Monthly trade journal features news and information for business aviation professionals, with special reports including the annual "PRASE Survey" which ranks the top U.S. fixed-base operators (FBOs) based on evaluations submitted by subscribers and also provides rankings for the best independent, small chain, and large chain FBOs in the U.S. and the top international FBOs in other global markets.

The Convention News Company
Publications available from this organization include:

Aviation International News
https://www.ainonline.com/
Monthly trade magazine features news and information for the business aviation industry, with FBO-focused content including the online "FBO" news channel and the annual "FBO Survey" which ranks fixed-base operators in the U.S. and other regions around the world based on evaluations submitted by subscribers. Articles are available free online, with free subscription available for qualified parties.

FBO Survey
https://www.ainonline.com/
Annual FBO survey ranks fixed-base operators in the U.S. and other regions around the world based on evaluations submitted by subscribers for FBOs that they visited or had experience with during the prior twelve months, with each FBO evaluated on a scale of 1 – 5 across five service categories: line service, passenger amenities, pilot amenities, facilities, and CSRs. Surveys are available free online.

Global Info Research
Fixed-Base Operators
https://www.globalinforesearch.com/

Comprehensive study provides a detailed analysis of the FBO market on a global and regional basis, with data provided including historical and forecast revenues by type (e.g., fueling, parking, tie-down, and hangaring, aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction, other), application (e.g., private, general aviation), and geographic region (e.g., North America, Europe, APAC, South America, MEA).

BizMiner Market Analysis Reports
Airport Services
https://www.bizminer.com Search for "4881" to see available reports

Market analysis reports provide industry statistics for a user-defined area on a national, state, county, metro area, or zip code level, with data provided including number of companies, market volume and sales trends, average company sales, sales per employee, staffing and employment trends, average employee wage, and business start up activity and failure rates. Sample report can be viewed online.

More industry research reports »

Financial Statements and Financial Ratios

BizMiner Industry Financial Ratios
Airport Services

https://www.bizminer.com Search for "4881" to see available reports

Five-year financial statement analysis reports provide income statements, balance sheets, and key industry financial ratios for companies of all sizes, with financial data available by sales size range on a national, state, and metropolitan area level including:

Income and expenses in dollars and percentages
Balance sheets in dollars and percentages
Profitability and return on investment ratios
Liquidity and working capital ratios
Asset turnover and efficiency ratios
Capital structure and debt service ratios

Sample financial statement and ratio analysis report is available free online.

Industry Research Reports
Airport Operations / Aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul

(see links for individual reports) (sample spreadsheet)

Financial benchmarks section provides detailed comparative income statements and balance sheets and over twenty-five industry financial ratios, with financial benchmarks available for each of the five most recent fiscal years and on a historical average basis for three-year, five-year, and ten-year time periods. Sample spreadsheet that includes breakdowns by total asset size can be viewed free online.

More financial benchmarking data »

Compensation and Salary Surveys

National Business Aviation Association
Compensation Survey
https://nbaa.org/

Annual NBAA survey provides base salary and total compensation data for aircraft maintenance and line service personnel, with survey results reported on a national, FAA region, and metropolitan area basis and job positions covered in the survey including maintenance director, maintenance manager, maintenance foreman, A&P maintenance technician, avionics technician, and line service technician.

PayScale, Inc.
Airline or Aviation Fixed-Base Operator (FBO)
https://www.payscale.com/

Free online service provides salary, bonus, and hourly wage data for job positions in this sector such as operations manager, maintenance director, aircraft and powerplant mechanic, avionics technician, and line service technician, with FBOs for which salary or wage data is provided including Landmark Aviation, Pentastar Aviation, Million Air Interlink, Signature Flight Support, and Atlantic Aviation Corp.

More compensation surveys »

BV Guides and Databases

BVMarketData
Private Company Sales Transaction Databases
https://www.bvresources.com/

Free "Visitor Search" allows users to search the DealStats, BIZCOMPS, and FactSet/BVR databases for private company sales transaction data by SIC or NAICS Code using the following codes:

– SIC Code 4581 - Airports, Flying Fields, and Airport Terminal Services

– NAICS Code 48811 - Airport Operations and Support Activitiess

Types of establishments included in these codes

Airfield operations services - establishments providing services essential to the safe and efficient functioning of airfields, such as air traffic control, security, emergency services, runway management, ground handling services, and maintenance of airfield facilities.

Public flying fields - establishments operating airports or airfields serving general aviation needs that provide services such as aircraft fueling services, ground handling services, hangar rentals, aircraft maintenance and repair, flight instruction, and aircraft rentals.

Fixed base operators (FBOs) - establishments that provide a range of services to general aviation operators and private aircraft owners, such as aircraft fueling services, hangar rentals, aircraft maintenance, flight planning, pilot lounges, and passenger amenities.

Hangar rentals - establishments that rent out hangar spaces to aircraft owners for storing their aircraft when not being used that may also offer access to flight planning and crew facilities and additional services such as aircraft fueling, cleaning, and maintenance.

Aircraft parking services - establishments primarily engaged in providing parking services for aircraft during layovers, overnight stays, or for longer periods of time in apron areas or designated parking spaces when the aircraft are not in use or awaiting departure.

Baggage handling system operators - establishments operating airport baggage handling systems for checked and carry-on items, including baggage check-in, sorting, loading, unloading, and delivery to the appropriate aircraft or passenger baggage claim area.

Cargo handling service providers - establishments engaged in the handling, storage, and processing of cargo and freight shipments, including the logistics, documentation, and movement of these shipments between aircraft, terminals, and ground transportation.

Runway maintenance services - establishments primarily focused on ensuring the safety and usability of runways by performing regular inspections and maintenance activities, including runway resurfacing, crack sealing, line marking, and lighting replacements.

Sample reports with detailed sales transaction data and valuation multiples are available free online.

More valuation data »

Related Industries:
Aircraft, Engines, and Parts Manufacturers
Airlines and Air Transportation
Equipment Leasing Companies
Oil, Gas, and Fuel Distributors

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