Air Center San Diego: KSDM new FBO provider

There is a new premier provider of FBO services in California as Air Center San Diego acquired San Diego Jet Center’s FBO assets at Brown Field Municipal Airport on April 10. The acquisition includes all FBO facilities, including the main terminal building out of which Air Center San Diego has begun providing FBO services. Air Center is committed to enhancing its presence on the field by constructing a state-of-the-art facility, slated for completion in late 2025. Ground has already been broken on the project.

Situated at the east end of the taxiway, the new facility will comprise a 14,400-square-foot FBO terminal and a 74,000-square-foot hangar complex, offering many upgraded amenities for FBO services on the airfield. The terminal will feature spacious seating areas, conference rooms, a well-equipped kitchen and dining area, and more.  The hangar complex will be able to accommodate aircraft up to a G650. While Air Center proceeds with the facility upgrades, it will retain the seasoned team from San Diego Jet Center. Many of these team members exceed 20 years of experience with the FBO and have established a reputation for providing upstanding customer service to the area’s clientele. 

Brittany Favero, customer service manager of Air Center San Diego, commented: “We are so excited and grateful to welcome San Diego Jet Center’s knowledgeable, reliable team members to the Air Center family. Their contributions are pivotal in facilitating a smooth transition to the Air Center brand. We look forward to modernization and streamlined approaches, while keeping intact the commitment to customer satisfaction that defines the operation.” 

Air Center San Diego is led by COO and executive vice president, Scott Owens, an industry professional with four decades of experience. Owens has been instrumental in the success of McClellan Jet Services since its establishment in 2001. His diverse responsibilities include leasing 1,000,000 square feet of airfield buildings, driving aviation development initiatives, overseeing FBO operations, and providing strategic guidance for the development of Sacramento McClellan Airport.

Managing the daily operations of Air Center San Diego are Favero and Jason Ponchetti, general manager. Favero brings two decades of industry expertise, having managed front office and marketing functions at McClellan Jet Services (KMCC), contributing to the launch of Coast Air Center (KMYF), streamlining operations at APP Jet Center (KHEF), and founding her own business, FBO Fix. 

Ponchetti, with over 30 years of industry experience, previously served as general manager for jetCenters of Colorado’s Denver location (KAPA). Running one of the largest independent fueling operations in the U.S., he led the company to a consistent top-25 Pro Pilot FBO rating year after year. With a bachelor’s degree in aviation management and a master’s degree in business administration, Ponchetti combines his education with industry knowledge and a proven track record of operational excellence. His leadership will be instrumental in driving growth, optimizing efficiency and shaping the future of Air Center San Diego. 

While Air Center San Diego is set to transition to the new east-end FBO as its sole operating facility in 2025, it hit the ground running this week out of the existing facilities in the main terminal building. The current facilities feature accommodations for guests, such as a comfortable passenger lounge, a game room with pool table, a kitchen area with vending options and complimentary crew cars. Customers will continue to have access to all services including ground handling, transportation, U.S. Customs, and any other specialized requests they may have. 

As an Avfuel-branded FBO, Air Center San Diego offers a wide range of benefits, including competitive fuel prices with Avfuel Contract Fuel, lucrative rewards with AVTRIP and streamlined transactions by accepting the Avfuel Pro Card.