Art Basel, the Miami Beach fair is one of many factors building demand for business aviation in South Florida.
This in turn has fueled the growth of the Miami Opa-locka Executive Airport into now one of the top-20 busiest private-aviation locations in the U.S., according to recent FAA rankings.
The demand for services has seen many high-end service providers thrive. Boutique hotels, five-star restaurants, caterers, chauffeurs.
Art Basel is now ranking alongside the Super Bowl and the Kentucky Derby in terms of event-driven traffic.
As a result, this has resulted in Sentient Jet South Florida membership growing to 240 cardholders, from circa 160 in 2015.
Overall, according to on-demand charter broker service PrivateFly, South Florida airports are seeing 35 percent growth in private travel versus last year, excluding hurricane-related disruptions.
The destination is proving popular private travelers, who have found home in the South Florida region, and who in turn require private flights to support their business and personal commitments.
Making the trip to South Florida via commercial carriers would be far more cumbersome. Business aviation provides speed and ease of access, meaning choice of location to live, or visit at the weekend, isn’t limited by the persons business location.
Which is good news for South Florida and Business Aviation.
South Florida – Private aviation airports:
Miami International Airport
2100 NW 42nd Ave
Miami, FL 33126
FBO: Signature Flight Support
Miami-Opa locka Executive
14201 NW 42 Avenue
Opa-locka, FL 33054
Tel: 305-869-1660
FBOs: Atlantic Aviation, Fontainebleau Aviation, Signature Flight Support
Miami Executive Airport
12800 SW 145th. Ave.
Miami, Fl 33186
Tel: 305-869-1700
FBOs: C.R. Aviation, IFC Miami, Signature Flight Support, Reliance Aviation
Miami Homestead General
28700 SW 217th Ave
Homestead, FL 33030
Tel: 305-247-4883
FBOs: Homestead Executive Jet Center, Roberts Air South, Inc.
Fort Lauderdale Executive
6000 NW 21st Ave.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Tel: 954-828-4955
FBOs: Banyan Air Service, Sano Jet Center, W Aviation, World Jet