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Ocean Aviation, backed by Kennedy Lewis, breaks ground on landmark flagship campus at Miami Executive Airport

Download: Printable PDF Date: 08 Oct 2026 08:28 (UTC) categories:
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Ocean Aviation, backed by Kennedy Lewis, breaks ground on landmark flagship campus at Miami Executive Airport - Business aviation publisher
Tatjana Obrazcova
Country: United States Aircraft: Airplanes

Ocean Aviation, supported by Kennedy Lewis Investment Management (“Kennedy Lewis”), has officially broken ground on a transformative new private aviation campus at Miami Executive Airport (KTMB). Backed by a $67 million investment, the flagship development will feature up to 400,000 square feet of communal and private hangar space, a premium passenger terminal, and an on-site fuel farm, creating one of the region’s most advanced business aviation facilities.

A strategic platform for South Florida’s private aviation market

Founded in 2024, Ocean Aviation secured a 40-year ground lease covering 40 acres at Miami Executive Airport, laying the foundation for one of the most significant next-generation FBO developments in the southeastern United States. The company further strengthened its presence in South Florida with the acquisition of National Jets at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (KFLL) in September 2026. With a legacy spanning more than six decades, National Jets will continue operating under its established brand, while KTMB and KFLL together create a powerful dual-airport network serving the greater Miami-Fort Lauderdale region.

The expansion is strategically aligned with the growing demand from ultra-high-net-worth individuals, corporate flight departments, and international business aviation operators across South Florida. As one of the fastest-growing and most capacity-constrained private aviation markets in the United States, the Miami metropolitan area continues to attract significant investment, making it a key hub for premium aviation infrastructure and services.

A next-generation gateway for business and general aviation

The new development will feature a comprehensive aviation ecosystem, including a dedicated fuel farm, a state-of-the-art fixed-base operator (FBO), communal and private aircraft hangars, and the relocation of the Wings Over Miami Air Museum. The project will also deliver a 32,000-square-foot common-use taxi lane and ramp supporting U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations, enhancing aircraft flow and enabling more efficient international general aviation movements.

At the heart of the campus will be Ocean Aviation’s flagship FBO, designed to serve the evolving needs of private, corporate, and general aviation customers at Miami Executive Airport. Supported by a blend of shared and private hangar facilities, the development will significantly expand aircraft storage capacity while elevating operational efficiency. Collectively, these investments will transform both the airside and landside infrastructure, establishing a modern, world-class gateway for business aviation in South Florida.

Romain Grosjean, Executive Chairman, Ocean Aviation commented: "Ocean Aviation is an incredible vision becoming reality today. Through my career in Formula 1 and Indycar, I’ve had the chance to work with some of the most brilliant people and what I’ve learned is that every detail matters, even the smallest ones. This is our philosophy and why we want to set new standards for private aviation through exceptional service, thoughtful design and operational excellence. Breaking ground at Miami Executive Airport is a defining milestone for our company — it allows us to create a flagship aviation campus built around the needs of aircraft owners, operators and flight departments, and to set a new standard for the FBO experience in South Florida.”

David Chene, Managing Partner, Kennedy Lewis Investment Management stated: "Today's groundbreaking reflects our continued conviction in the South Florida market and our commitment to building a world-class FBO platform. Durable demand across the region, a 40-year ground lease here at Miami Executive, and the airport's growing role as a general aviation port of entry make this a cornerstone asset for the Ocean Aviation platform. With a team on the ground in Miami and a platform that now includes National Jets in Fort Lauderdale, we're proud to partner with Miami-Dade County in building infrastructure that will drive jobs and economic growth across South Florida for decades to come."

Manny Garcia-Tuñón, Group President, Lemartec said: "It is a privilege for Lemartec and the MasTec General Building Group to continue supporting Miami-Dade County and the Miami-Dade Aviation Department while helping bring Ocean Aviation's vision to life. After delivering critical public infrastructure projects across the county, we are proud to partner on this transformative private investment. Ocean Aviation is setting a new standard for private aviation through innovation, service, and operational excellence, and we are honored to help build a facility that will shape the future of aviation in Miami."

Preserving South Florida’s aviation heritage

A cornerstone of the development is the relocation of the Wings Over Miami Air Museum to a new, purpose-built home at Miami Executive Airport. Dedicated to preserving historic aircraft and aviation artifacts, the museum plays a vital role in promoting aviation education while celebrating the rich legacy of flight in South Florida. Its inclusion within the campus ensures that the region’s aviation heritage remains accessible to future generations while becoming an integral part of the airport’s evolving ecosystem.

Integrated design-build delivery

The project will be executed through a design-build approach led by Lemartec, in partnership with architectural firm Schenkel Shultz. By combining aviation planning, design, and construction expertise under a unified delivery model, the team is positioned to create a seamless, high-performance facility tailored to the complex operational demands of a modern FBO and large-scale aviation campus.





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