Piloting Global Growth – Strategies From Private Aviation to Scale Your Business
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 9
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 10
Elliot Ross Surgenor is the founder and CEO of Fly Business Aviation, with operational bases in Miami, Scottsdale, and Cabo. With a background in media, entrepreneurship, and luxury aviation, he specializes in elevating private travel through innovation and exceptional client service.
When I started Fly Business Aviation, our operation centered on a single aircraft and a handful of routes. The challenge wasn’t in flying, it was in envisioning how to grow reliably and sustainably across geographies.
In the years since, I’ve led our expansion into multi-base operations across North America, always mindful that scaling a niche business isn’t about volume alone. It’s about replicability, trust, and operational discipline. Here’s what I’ve learned about taking a boutique enterprise global while maintaining the integrity of your service.
1. Understand the market you’re entering and adapt thoughtfully
Expanding doesn’t mean copying your home model and stamping it in new places. It means adapting your offering to the local context while retaining the core value that defines you.
Regulation and taxation matter. In the U.S., private aviation is subject to the Federal Excise Tax (FET) on charter operations, which directly affects pricing and margins. In Mexico, permits, customs, and handling processes create different operational realities.
Cultural expectations differ. A U.S. client may expect flexibility and speed, while a Mexican client may value privacy and relationship continuity.
Service localization is key. From bilingual crews to tailored ground logistics, local adaptation allows the service to feel personal, not templated.
When Fly Business launched in the U.S., we spent months adjusting our customer journey, from booking to ground coordination, before publicly announcing new routes. That “soft launch with adaptation” prevented costly missteps.
2. Leverage strategic partnerships as force multipliers
In capital-intensive sectors like aviation, partnerships are your greatest accelerators. The key is alignment, not quantity. At Fly Business Aviation, we’ve built strategic alliances with trusted ground handlers, FBOs, and maintenance providers to maintain reliability without excessive overhead.
Rather than owning every piece of infrastructure, we focus on relationships that strengthen our operational ecosystem. Partnerships don’t need to be flashy, they need to work seamlessly when it matters most.
3. Institutionalize standards, no matter the location
The greatest challenge in scaling is ensuring every client’s experience feels indistinguishable in quality, whether in Arizona, Florida, or Mexico.
Safety and operational discipline are crucial. Only a small fraction of global operators reach IS-BAO Stage 3 certification, the highest safety benchmark in business aviation. It demands rigorous audits, standardized procedures, and a mature Safety Management System (SMS).
Consistent training and audits are necessary. Every team, whether crew, operations, or customer service, follows unified protocols and feedback cycles.
Brand integrity is vital. Localization is healthy, but your hallmark, attention to detail, precision, and trust, must remain constant.
By replicating the same communication and safety culture across all bases, we built client trust quickly, especially in markets where private aviation is still evolving.
4. Take calculated risks
Scaling inherently involves risk, the key is making those risks intentional. Before opening any new base or route, we validate demand, analyze costs, and test partnerships. Rapid growth without operational readiness leads to brand erosion.
When I left a stable corporate position to launch Fly Business, it wasn’t impulsive, it was calculated. Every new route we introduced came after months of data analysis, regulatory study, and operational modeling. Risk, managed with discipline, becomes propulsion.
5. Market trends and tailwinds
To know where to scale, you must understand the winds pushing the industry forward:
The global private aircraft market is projected to grow from USD 28 billion in 2024 to nearly USD 30 billion in 2025, with a 6.6% compound annual growth rate.
Aircraft deliveries are forecast to increase by 11% year-over-year, reaching roughly 695 new jets in 2025.
The U.S. private aviation sector has seen flight activity rise by 4.1% despite macroeconomic headwinds.
Key trends shaping the decade ahead include:
Use of AI in maintenance (predictive analytics to prevent delays)
Private jets as airborne offices (enhanced connectivity and productivity)
Greater focus on sustainability, via SAF fuels and lighter materials
These tailwinds make innovation not optional, but essential.
6. Leadership and culture are the real growth engines
Scaling isn’t just a logistical exercise, it’s cultural. As your business grows, it becomes a mirror of your internal discipline and values. For me, that means leading with presence, not hierarchy.
At Fly Business Aviation, every department, from finance to operations, understands our core purpose, we don’t sell flights, we deliver confidence, reliability, and care. In aviation and leadership alike, the true test is how calmly you act when turbulence hits. Whether it’s weather, logistics, or human error, clarity under pressure defines both a good pilot and a good CEO.
Final thoughts
Scaling a company, especially one in a high-trust industry like aviation, isn’t about speed, it’s about precision. Fly Business Aviation didn’t grow by adding aircraft overnight but by cultivating consistency, purpose-driven partnerships, and a people-first culture.
Whatever your industry, these same principles apply:
Adapt intelligently
Partner strategically
Deliver consistently
Lead consciously
Growth isn’t about how many markets you reach, it’s about how many people trust you when you get there.
Read more from Elliot Ross Surgenor
Elliot Ross Surgenor, Visionary Entrepreneur and Founder
Elliot Ross Surgenor is a leading entrepreneur in private aviation and the founder of Fly Business Aviation, based in Miami, Scottsdale, and Cabo. With a background in media and international business development, he has built a company known for its innovation, personalized service, and refined operational standards. Elliot also leads Lusso Jet Design and Air Dining Cabo, subsidiaries focused on luxury jet interiors and in-flight catering. His expertise spans brand strategy, client experience, and aviation operations. He is also the host of a podcast exploring leadership and the future of the industry. Passionate about giving back, Elliot supports philanthropic efforts, including initiatives for children in need.
