Bemidji Aviation Services

What Bemidji Aviation Services does

Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc. is a full-service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and FAA Part 135 air carrier headquartered at Bemidji Regional Airport (KBJI) in Bemidji, Minnesota, with additional hub operations at KMSP (Minneapolis), Fargo (FAR), and KDEN (Denver). Founded in 1946 and in continuous operation since 1947, the company is employee-owned under an ESOP structure adopted in 2007 and currently employs 101-250 people. It maintains a fleet of more than 50 aircraft, including Fairchild Metroliners, Beech 99s, Beech Queenairs, and Cessna 172s, used across seven integrated service lines: full-service FBO amenities (fuel, hangar, tiedown, crew lounge, courtesy vehicles), air cargo charter (on-demand, 24/7, up to 4,700 lbs capacity at 290 MPH, HAZMAT-certified, continental US and Canada), aircraft management (maintenance, storage, certification, administration for owners), aircraft rental (Cessna 172 at $116-$123/hour), FAA-certified maintenance (airframe, powerplant, avionics, PT6 hot section inspections at $108-$129.60/hour), flight training (Private Pilot Certificate programs plus a Fly This Sim Touch Trainer simulator), and fuel services as a Phillips 66 distributor of Avgas 100-LL and Jet-A.

The business model is multi-stream and transactional, with pricing in five service lines set on a per-hour or per-unit basis (rental, instruction, maintenance labor), fuel sold per gallon with cash/credit differentials, and cargo/services priced per mission. Go-to-market is direct-to-customer across all lines, supported by phone (1-800-332-7133), website intake, and walk-in traffic at FBO locations, with self-serve scheduling enabled through a Flight Schedule Pro integration for rental and training. Customer segments span enterprise cargo shippers (mail carriers, regional freight), mid-market private and corporate aircraft owners using the management and maintenance lines, and individual pilots and student pilots using rental, training, and discovery flight offerings. Fixed-cost coverage comes from a regulated base of FAA Part 135 authority, FAA Repair Station KZ5R007N, and NATA Safety 1st fuel integrity certification, providing both regulatory moat and recurring demand.

Name

Bemidji Aviation Services

Legal name

Bemidji Aviation Services, Inc.

Website

https://bemidjiaviation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Bemidji Aviation Services is an employee-owned (ESOP), FAA Part 135-certified Fixed Base Operator and air carrier headquartered at Bemidji Regional Airport (MN) with hubs at Minneapolis, Fargo, and Denver. It serves cargo shippers, private aircraft owners, and pilots through FBO, charter, maintenance, aircraft management, rental, and flight training services across the Midwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Services (Fixed Base Operator)

NAICS

Airport Operations (48811), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812), Support Activities for Air Transportation (4881)

SIC

Airports, Flying Fields & Airport Terminal Services (4581)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Aviation Terminals & FBO Services (THABAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Aircraft Management & Part 135/135-equivalent Operators (THABAFAD), ACMI / Wet-Lease Cargo Operators (THABAEAC)

Keywords

• Fixed base operator
• Air cargo charter
• Aircraft maintenance services
• Flight training programs
• Aviation fuel services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bemidji

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Fuel Sales: Phillips 66 fuel distributor selling Avgas (100-LL) and Jet-A with pre-blended FSII. Fuel prices quoted per gallon with cash and credit card options.
2. Air Cargo Services: On-demand cargo charter throughout Midwest and continental US/Canada. Operates Metroliner III aircraft with up to 4,700 lbs capacity at 290 MPH. Services include HAZMAT transport.
3. Aircraft Rental: Rental of Cessna 172 aircraft for qualified pilots and students. Pricing per hour with/without instruction. Discovery flights and photo flights available.
4. Flight Instruction: Ground and flight training for Private Pilot Certificate. Discovery flights, solo training, and advanced instruction. FAA Certified Flight Instructors available.
5. Maintenance Services: FAA certified repair station providing A&P maintenance, avionics, inspections, and repairs. Hourly labor rates with after-hours call-in services.
6. FBO Services: Full-service Fixed Base Operator offering hangar storage, tiedown fees, crew lounge, courtesy vehicles, and ramp services. Seasonal hangar pricing by aircraft type.
7. Aircraft Management: Third-party aircraft management services handling maintenance, storage, certification, and administration for private and corporate aircraft owners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Bemidji Aviation Services is a full-service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and FAA Part 135 air carrier providing integrated aviation services. The company operates on-demand air cargo charter (Metroliner III, Beech 99, Beech Queenair), aircraft management for private/corporate owners, FAA certified maintenance (airframe, powerplant, avionics, PT6 hot section), Cessna 172 aircraft rental, flight training (private pilot certificate, discovery flights), Phillips 66 aviation fuel distribution, and hangar storage. Operations run 24/7 across continental US and Canada from hubs at Bemidji (KBJI), Minneapolis (KMSP), Fargo (FAR), and Denver (KDEN).

Product overview

Bemidji Aviation Services is a full-service Fixed Base Operator (FBO) and Part 135 airline operator established in 1946. The company operates a portfolio of integrated aviation services including FBO facilities (hangars, fuel, crew amenities), air cargo charter (Metroliner III, Beech 99, Queen Air), aircraft management, aircraft rental (Cessna 172s), maintenance (FAA repair station KZ5R007N), and flight training programs. The company maintains a fleet of over 50 aircraft across multiple Midwest hub locations (Bemidji, Minneapolis, Fargo, Denver) and is employee-owned through an ESOP structure.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• FBO (Fixed Base Operator) Services Full-service Fixed Base Operator providing aircraft landing facilities, hangar storage, fuel services, crew amenities (lounge, shower, WiFi, courtesy vehicles), and 24-hour operations. Includes tiedown fees, hangar fees by aircraft type, and oil and lubrication services. Targeted at transient and based aircraft operators, pilots, and crews.
• Air Cargo Charter Services On-demand freight and cargo charter services throughout the Midwest and continental United States/Canada using Fairchild Metroliner III aircraft with up to 4,700 lbs cargo capacity at speeds of 290 mph. Available 24/7 with HAZMAT services offered. Targeted at large-scale mail carriers, regional shipping companies, and customers requiring feeder cargo into smaller airports.
• Aircraft Management Comprehensive aircraft ownership management including routine maintenance, storage, certification administration, and regulatory compliance handling for corporate or private aircraft owners. Targeted at private and corporate aircraft owners seeking turnkey ownership without day-to-day operational responsibilities.
• Aircraft Rental Rental of 1973 and 1974 Cessna 172M aircraft for instruction and travel purposes. Aircraft accommodate one pilot plus three passengers with Lycoming O-320-E2D engines (150-180 hp). Standard rental $116/hr, 180HP rental $123/hr. Targeted at qualified pilots, students, and travelers needing aircraft access.
• Maintenance Services FAA certified repair station (KZ5R007N) providing airframe and powerplant maintenance, piston engine changes, PT6 hot section inspections, propeller servicing, sheet metal repairs, landing gear overhaul, and FAR Part 91/135 conformity inspections. Rates: A&P $108/hr, Avionics $129.60/hr. Holiday and weekend rates are 1.5x standard rates. Targeted at aircraft owners and operators needing certified maintenance.
• Flight Training Flight instruction program with FAA Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs). Offers Private Pilot Certificate training (estimated total cost $8,460 based on 50 hours flight time), discovery flights ($85/30 min), photo flights ($190/1 hour), and uses the Fly This Sim Touch Trainer simulator for instrument currency and procedure training. Primary instruction $45/hr, advanced instruction $55/hr. Targeted at student pilots and aspiring private pilots.
• Fuel Services Phillips 66 fuel distributor offering Avgas 100-LL ($6.89 cash/$6.94 credit per gallon) and Jet-A pre-blended with FSII ($6.83 cash/$6.88 credit per gallon). Participates in WingPoints reward program and NATA Safety 1st program. After-hours callout: $275, Holiday callout: $400. Targeted at aircraft owners, operators, and transient aircraft needing fuel at KBJI.
• Hangar Services Hangar storage managed by Bemidji Aviation at 4303, 4317, and 4329 Hangar Drive in Bemidji, MN. Seasonal pricing by aircraft type ranging from $100/month (small piston, summer) to $240/month (large turboprop, winter). Targeted at aircraft owners needing based aircraft storage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Cargo capacity up to 4,700 lbs at 290 MPH
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Phillips 66coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProud distributor of Phillips 66 aviation fuel. Company participates in WingPoints reward program. Recognized by Phillips for dedication and service throughout 70+ years of operating. Phillips Card accepted at same as cash price.
• NATA (National Air Transportation Association)coreTechnology or IntegrationParticipates in NATA's Safety 1st program to ensure fuel integrity. Recognized by NATA for dedication and service. NATA Safety 1st program is an industry standard for fuel quality assurance.
• ARSA (Aeronautical Repair Station Association)minorOthersMember of ARSA. Association representing aviation maintenance industry interests and providing regulatory advocacy.
• AEA (Aircraft Electronics Association)minorOthersMember of AEA. Association representing avionics repair stations and electronics service providers.
• Flight Schedule ProcoreTechnology or IntegrationOnline platform provider for aircraft scheduling, rental management, and customer signup. Used for flight training and aircraft rental bookings. Customers signup and manage accounts through FSP portal.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ameriflight: Largest U.S. Part 135 cargo carrier operating feeder routes for integrators with a similar freighter fleet (Beech 99, Metroliner, Brasilia). Direct competitor for regional cargo contracts and charter business.
• KaiserAir: West Coast-based full-service aviation services operator providing FBO, charter, aircraft management, and maintenance with a similar integrated model and longstanding independent operator profile.
• Martinaire Aviation: Part 135 cargo operator providing overnight feeder services for major integrators with comparable aircraft types and regional U.S. cargo mission profile.
• ACI Jet: Full-service aviation services company operating FBO, aircraft management, maintenance, and charter with a comparable integrated service model in regional U.S. markets.
• Fargo Jet Center: Full-service FBO and Part 135 operator at Hector International Airport (FAR), one of BAS's hub airports. Offers fuel, hangar, maintenance, charter, and flight training with a similar vertically integrated service portfolio and Midwest geographic focus.

Broad incumbents

• Signature Flight Support: World's largest FBO chain with hundreds of locations globally, providing fuel, hangar, maintenance, and FBO amenities. Backed by corporate capital and scales BAS competes against for fuel customers and corporate tenants at shared airports.
• Modern Aviation: Growing FBO platform operating multiple U.S. locations with fuel, hangar, and MRO services. Comparable vertically integrated service model and competing for similar regional FBO customers.
• Million Air: Global FBO network offering fuel, hangar, and crew amenities with a strong private-aviation focus. Overlaps with BAS's customer base in the Midwest private/corporate aviation segment.
• Atlantic Aviation: Major North American FBO chain with broad geographic coverage, including Midwest locations. Competes directly with BAS for transient and based-aircraft fuel, hangar, and FBO services at regional and Class B airports.

Emerging players

• Sky Harbour Group: Public FBO consolidator building a national network of airport campuses focused on business aviation. Represents a new capital-backed competitor model entering the same regional FBO market BAS serves.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Bemidji-Aviation-Services-Inc-108347151570834
• Xx.com/bemidjiaviation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/bemidji-aviation-services-inc-

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bemidji Aviation Services