US charter brokerage and sales firm Horizon Air Group has acquired World Class Jet, known as Starbase Aviation (Houston Ellington), including the latter's Part 135 certification. The air carrier certificate will be rebranded as Horizon Jet Management.
According to a press statement, the acquisition allows Horizon to immediately offer FAA-licensed aircraft operation alongside its sales and charter services.
Texas-based World Class Jet, which does business as Starbase Jets, is owned by Randall Reed who also owns an automotive dealership group.
Horizon CEO Luis Barros says that the acquisition will give clients greater variety in meeting their private aviation needs.
"In a time when people feel like they only have two choices, to either stick with the classic charter models that have been around for some time or buy into the trendy memberships programs that have been popular lately, it's important to us to really forge ahead with an alternative that combines the best of both worlds," Barros said. "We've advanced the technology and approach of the classic models along with bringing more of a practical and aviation-based offering to the membership app crowd."
