(May 2026)

Most General Aviation passengers never realize how many professionals it takes to pull off a seamless global trip from start to finish. They rarely see the process behind the curtain, yet they’re the first to raise alarms if any part of the trip management performance is lacking.

As their crew and operators, you strive to shield them from typical trip management stresses. Meanwhile, FPI strives to shield your team from anything less than a white glove experience in an effort to alleviate your team’s pressures as much as possible.

We do this by ensuring that any FPI partner vendor touching any part of your trip is vetted, tried, and true with a Ritz Carlton mindset to their specialty, no matter how small the detail.

These vendors are what comprise FPI’s elite collection of service partners across the globe, called the Special Services Network (SSN).

“FPI’s preferred SSN and ground handling partners are typically the first and last point of contact for both crew and passengers,” states Mike Stevens, FPI’s Director of Vendor Management. “Their expertise is tailored to the specific needs of business aviation, with a strong emphasis on delivering high-end, personalized service. SSN representatives are dedicated exclusively to each flight and provide continuous support throughout the entire operation.”

Mike Stevens, Director of Vendor Management

 

FPI intentionally calls the SSN members “partners” vs. “vendors”, because they are so much more than a contractor and play such a pivotal part in the delivery of FPI’s services behind an exceptional client experience.

Whether you’ve recently joined the FPI family or have worked with us for years, we felt it worthwhile to revisit the SSN teams and provide a refresher on the purpose they serve in supporting your operations with precision, discretion, and consistency.

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How are the SSN partners chosen?  

Selecting a ground handling partner is a strategic decision that requires balancing operational efficiencies, safety, compliance, discretion, and cost-effectiveness to ensure a seamless turnaround for every flight.

FPI conducts thorough due diligence when vetting its preferred network partners, with a strong focus on compliance and data privacy. This ensures that all partners operate with discretion and in alignment with FPI’s and our operator’s best interests in mind.

Reputable partners adhere to strict industry standards, reducing the risk of ground damage and operational incidents. 

In addition to the basic expectations of a ground handler, SSN agents must also perform ancillary services such as arranging VIP lounge access (where available), facilitating expedited Customs clearance, and ensuring professional baggage handling.

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How are the SSN partners maintained?

FPI’s preferred SSN and ground handling partners are regularly evaluated at each location to determine which providers offer the most advantageous positioning on the airfield. This includes considerations such as taxi time and proximity to Customs facilities.

Specialized providers often have enhanced access to Ground Support Equipment (GSE), highly trained personnel, and VIP lounge facilities, helping to prevent bottlenecks during peak periods or last-minute schedule changes. 

In addition, FPI periodically conducts global site visits to assess processes and procedures, review infrastructure such as FBOs, GATs, and ground handling equipment, and further strengthen working relationships.

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With FPI being a newer company, how lengthy are FPI’s SSN relationships?

As mentioned in previous articles, FPI may be a newer legal entity, however the majority of FPI’s team has been working in elite trip management operations for 20-30 years, with many team members having worked together for the entirety of their careers.

FPI’s founder, Tom Balousek, launched the first rendition of the concierge aviation company nearly 50 years ago, and the relationship-building never stopped.

As a result, many of today’s SSN partners have been tied to FPI’s team members for up to three full generations, as we’ve highlighted in examples such as with Maher’s Handling (Brazil) and General Aviation Service (Spain).

Maher’s Handling (Brazil): Lourdes & Duarte Maher, 

Danniel (son), Bruno (son), Caio (grandson)

GAS (Spain): Alberto Utrera, Juan Guerreiro, Jamie Utrera (son), Luis Hurtado, 

Luis, Alberto, and Juan

 

“It’s difficult to quantify the value of such longevity,” states Mike, whose own son is now working alongside him at FPI’s Houston, TX headquarters. “Generational loyalty combined with a high-quality mindset provides an exponentially strong foundation of trust among all parties.”

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What sets SSN partners apart from the average global vendor?

The result of that longevity is that FPI’s SSN partners are more inclined to be exceptionally loyal to FPI and go the extra mile for FPI’s clients in the same respect that FPI’s team has been loyal to them over decades.

Additionally, the lengthy relationship history sets and builds upon the widely understood standard that FPI has high expectations for partner service levels. In other words, any new service partners will have extremely big shoes to fill.

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An example of an SSN going above and beyond:

In one notable situation, an FPI client was operating into Luton (EGGW) during a significant snowstorm that severely impacted airport operations. While the airport was eventually able to clear the runway and taxiways, the volume of snowfall left the majority of aircraft stranded on their parking stands. Priority was understandably given to clearing commercial airline stands, which resulted in most general aviation aircraft being unable to depart. 

As a result, nearly all FBO flights were cancelled that day — with one exception.

Our client’s aircraft was successfully prepared for departure after several hours of hard effort, resourcefulness, and perseverance of our SSN agents. The team manually removed accumulated snow from on and around the aircraft and, using traffic cones, created a path from the stand to the taxiway.

Thanks to their outstanding commitment and determination, our client’s aircraft became the only general aviation departure from Luton that day.

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Stories such as this are more the norm than the exception when reviewing FPI’s SSN community.

“I firmly believe the long-standing relationships with our global partners are just as important as our relationships with our clients,” states Matt Pahl, FPI’s Chief Operating Officer. “FPI’s success is built on a trusted worldwide network that allows us to deliver exceptional results for operators, crews, and passengers at every stage of the mission.”

“Our SSN partners are truly the backbone of FPI,” Mike adds. “Their trusted partnerships allow us to operate as a seamless extension of our clients’ flight departments. The SSN teams help elevate the passenger experience while making day-to-day operations significantly easier for crews and operators alike.”

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To learn more about FPI, FPC, or regarding the Compliance, Operations, Regulatory, and other Special Services Network (SSN) teams, please contact our Operations staff here at Flight Pro International.

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