Holstein Aviation
Holstein Aviation is a privately held, Carmel, Indiana-based full-service aircraft brokerage firm founded in 2010. It represents buyers and sellers of mid-size, super-midsize, and long-range business jets across the United States and internationally, generating commission-based revenue across 4,700+ lifetime transactions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersCarmel, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Holstein Aviation does
Holstein Aviation is a privately held, full-service aircraft brokerage firm founded in 2010 and based in Carmel, Indiana. The firm represents buyers and sellers of mid-size, super-midsize, and long-range business jets — including Gulfstream, Citation, and King Air models — across the United States and internationally. Service lines include direct negotiation representation, confidential buyer outreach, market positioning analysis, coordination with preferred dealers, international sales structuring, pre-purchase inspection oversight, escrow and closing management, valuation advisory, and private jet leasing. Adjacent offerings include charter arrangement, super yacht sales and charters, and published market reports.
Revenue is generated primarily through transaction-based commissions on aircraft sales and acquisitions, supplemented by professional-services fees for valuation, consulting, and leasing. The firm operates a direct enterprise field-sales motion led by Co-founder, President & CEO Shawn Holstein, supported by a global referral agent network. Customer concentration rests on corporate flight departments and high-net-worth individuals; one named client (a former travel management company CEO) has executed more than 40 transactions with team members over 10+ years, indicating strong repeat-customer economics.
The technology stack is conventional for a relationship-driven brokerage: a company website, a client portal at holsteinaviationportal.com, and an iOS mobile application. The firm holds active memberships in NAFA, IADA, and NBAA and claims a Top 10 worldwide aircraft brokerage ranking on the back of 4,700+ completed transactions and $10B+ in cumulative sales volume with 300 years of combined team experience. The firm is small (1-10 employees), founder-led, and shows no disclosed external investment, M&A activity, or AI/ML capabilities.
Holstein Aviation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Holstein Aviation
- Legal name
- Holstein Aviation
- Website
- https://HolsteinAviation.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Holstein Aviation is a privately held, Carmel, Indiana-based full-service aircraft brokerage firm founded in 2010. It represents buyers and sellers of mid-size, super-midsize, and long-range business jets across the United States and internationally, generating commission-based revenue across 4,700+ lifetime transactions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Holstein Aviation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aircraft Brokerage
- NAICS
- Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation (481219), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (48121)
- SIC
- Air Transportation, Nonscheduled (4522)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Charter Brokerage & Charter Management (Passenger) (THABADAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Business Jet Charter (On-Demand) (THABAFAA), Private Jet Charter (Midsize/Super-Midsize/Heavy Jet) (TLAFABAB)
Keywords
Where Holstein Aviation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Carmel
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Holstein Aviation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Aircraft Sales Commission: Commission-based revenue from representing buyers and sellers of business aircraft including mid-size, super midsize, and long-range jets. The company facilitates transactions through negotiation representation, market positioning, and closing management.
- Acquisition Services: Fees for identifying on-market and off-market aircraft opportunities, conducting due diligence, reviewing maintenance programs, and guiding clients through secure closing processes.
- Aircraft Valuation Services: Market valuation and advisory services for aircraft owners and buyers.
- Private Jet Leasing: Leasing services for private and corporate aircraft.
- Consulting Services: Strategic advisory services including pre-purchase inspection oversight, escrow and closing management, and international sales coordination.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Aircraft Sales - Commission-based transaction fees |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Holstein Aviation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Holstein Aviation is a full-service aircraft brokerage firm that represents buyers and sellers of business aircraft, including mid-size, super midsize, and long-range jets such as Gulfstream and Citation models. Core offerings include aircraft sales representation, aircraft acquisition services, market valuation, private jet leasing, charter arrangements, escrow and closing management, pre-purchase inspection oversight, and international sales coordination for corporate flight departments, private individuals, and cross-border clients across the United States and globally.
Product overview
Holstein Aviation operates as a full-service aircraft brokerage platform offering a comprehensive suite of services centered on business aircraft sales, acquisitions, and consulting. The core offering is aircraft brokerage, which includes acquisition services, sales representation, valuation, and leasing. Supporting services include charter arrangements, yacht sales and charters, market intelligence reports, and a mobile application. The company represents buyers and sellers of mid-size, super midsize, and long-range business aircraft including Gulfstream and Citation models, with capabilities spanning international and cross-border transactions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aircraft Brokerage Services Full-service aircraft brokerage representing buyers and sellers of business aircraft, including negotiation, international sales coordination, escrow and closing management, and pre-purchase inspection oversight for corporate and private clients.
- Aircraft Acquisition Services Guides clients through identifying on-market and off-market aircraft opportunities, conducting due diligence, reviewing maintenance programs, and analyzing value trends.
- Aircraft Valuation Services Market valuation and advisory services to determine aircraft worth for buying, selling, or portfolio purposes.
- Private Jet Leasing Aircraft leasing services for clients seeking to operate private jets without outright ownership.
- Charter Services Arranges private jet charter flights for clients seeking on-demand access to business aircraft.
- Yacht Sales and Charters Super yacht buying and chartering services extending the firm's luxury asset brokerage beyond aviation.
- Consulting Services Strategic advisory services for aircraft transactions and aviation decisions, including pre-purchase inspection oversight, escrow and closing management, and international sales coordination.
- Holstein Aviation Mobile App iOS mobile application for accessing aviation services and aircraft information on the go.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4,700+ completed aircraft transactions
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Holstein Aviation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Holstein Aviation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Holstein Aviation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- NAFA (National Aircraft Finance Association)coreIndustry membership association for aircraft finance professionals. Holstein Aviation is a member and accredited dealer, enhancing credibility and industry standing.
- IADA (International Aircraft Dealers Association)coreInternational trade association representing aircraft dealers. Membership provides access to global network and industry best practices.
- NBAA (National Business Aviation Association)coreLeading trade association for the business aviation industry. Membership demonstrates commitment to industry standards and provides networking opportunities.
- Preferred Dealers, Manufacturers, Lenders, and Maintenance ProviderscoreSpecial relationships with preferred dealers, manufacturers, lenders, and maintenance providers across the United States and abroad. These relationships enable like-kind exchanges, effective negotiation, and measurable value creation for clients. Relationships allow structuring of complex transactions and creation of competitive advantages.
- Global Referral Agent NetworkcoreReferral agent partnerships extending reach across the United States and internationally. These partnerships enable highly optioned aircraft opportunities, discreet buyer introductions, and swift transaction methods for clients.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Holstein Aviation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Mente Group: Business aviation advisory and aircraft transactions firm serving corporate flight departments. Comparable to Holstein in transaction advisory, fleet acquisition strategy, and corporate buyer representation.
- Velocity One: Aircraft sales and acquisition services firm focused on business jets. Comparable to Holstein in core brokerage services and clientele.
- Lone Mountain Aircraft: Business aircraft sales, brokerage, and acquisition firm representing buyers and sellers of pre-owned jets. Operates in the same customer segment as Holstein with similar commission-based brokerage model.
- Avpro Inc. One of the largest independently owned aircraft brokerage and acquisition firms in the world, also ranked in the top tier globally. Directly comparable to Holstein Aviation in business jet sales representation, acquisition services, and international transaction capabilities.
- Par Avion Aircraft Sales & Brokerage: Aircraft sales and brokerage firm offering buyer and seller representation, acquisitions, and consulting. Directly comparable services and customer base to Holstein Aviation.
- JetEffect: Aircraft sales and acquisition brokerage focused on business jets, serving both buyers and sellers. Comparable to Holstein in core service offering, mid-size and super-midsize jet focus, and relationship-driven enterprise sales motion.
- Jet Aviva: Aircraft brokerage firm representing buyers and sellers of business jets globally. Comparable to Holstein in transaction model, jet categories served, and enterprise clientele.
- International Aircraft Marketing & Sales (IAMS): Aircraft brokerage and acquisition firm specializing in business jet sales with international reach. Closely comparable to Holstein's cross-border transaction services and mid-to-large jet focus.
Broad incumbents
- Duncan Aviation: Large, well-established aviation services company offering MRO, aircraft sales and acquisitions, and completions. Overlaps with Holstein in aircraft sales brokerage but operates at much greater scale with broader service portfolio.
- Jet Aviation (General Dynamics): Large, multi-service business aviation company (subsidiary of General Dynamics) providing aircraft management, charter, MRO, and FBO services. Overlaps with Holstein in private aviation services and charter brokerage, though operates at vastly greater scale with broader portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Holstein Aviation social profiles
Digital presenceHolstein Aviation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Holstein Aviation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Holstein Aviation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Holstein Aviation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Holstein Aviation
What does Holstein Aviation do?
Holstein Aviation is a full-service aircraft brokerage firm that represents buyers and sellers of business aircraft, including mid-size, super midsize, and long-range jets such as Gulfstream and Citation models. Core offerings include aircraft sales representation, aircraft acquisition services, market valuation, private jet leasing, charter arrangements, escrow and closing management, pre-purchase inspection oversight, and international sales coordination for corporate flight departments, private individuals, and cross-border clients across the United States and globally.
Is Holstein Aviation a public or private company?
Holstein Aviation is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Holstein Aviation founded?
Holstein Aviation was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Holstein Aviation based?
Holstein Aviation is headquartered in Carmel, United States, in the North America region.
How does Holstein Aviation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Aircraft Sales Commission is the primary driver. The others are acquisition Services, aircraft Valuation Services, private Jet Leasing and consulting Services.
Who are Holstein Aviation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Mente Group, Velocity One, Lone Mountain Aircraft, Avpro Inc., Par Avion Aircraft Sales & Brokerage, JetEffect, Jet Aviva and International Aircraft Marketing & Sales (IAMS). Broad incumbents are Duncan Aviation and Jet Aviation (General Dynamics).
Does Holstein Aviation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Holstein Aviation.
What industry is Holstein Aviation in?
Holstein Aviation's product category is Aircraft Brokerage. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THABADAL, Charter Brokerage & Charter Management (Passenger), with a secondary code of THABAFAA, Business Jet Charter (On-Demand). Its NAICS code is 481219 and its SIC code is 4522.