Kennedy Lewis-backed Ocean Aviation has acquired National Jets at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, creating a two-airport private aviation platform in South Florida alongside its planned development at Miami Executive Airport.
National Jets will continue operating under its existing brand, with Ocean Aviation planning a significant phased redevelopment and expansion of the Fort Lauderdale facility.
National Jets has operated at the airport for more than 60 years and currently occupies an approximately 20-acre leasehold.
Ocean Aviation plans to develop a large communal hangar, two private hangars, a new FBO terminal with executive offices and a new fuel farm capable of serving aircraft ranging through large-cabin business jets.
Once fully developed, the Fort Lauderdale operation is expected to exceed 150,000 square feet of hangar capacity, more than six times its current footprint.
National Jets currently provides about 22,000 square feet of hangar space.
Ocean Aviation’s broader South Florida strategy also includes a 40-year ground lease covering 40 acres at Miami Executive Airport.
The planned Miami facility could include as much as 400,000 square feet of hangar space along with a premium terminal and fuel farm.
Together, the locations are intended to serve ultra-high-net-worth customers, corporate flight departments and international private aviation operators across Miami and Fort Lauderdale.
Kennedy Lewis Investment Management has approximately $37 billion under management and is providing capital behind the platform’s development.
Financial terms of the National Jets acquisition were not disclosed.
KEY QUOTES:
“Combined with our development at Miami Executive Airport, Ocean Aviation is now developing two of the premier private aviation gateways in South Florida, with a clear mandate to set a new standard for the FBO experience in this market.”
Romain Grosjean, Chairman of Ocean Aviation
“This acquisition reflects our conviction in the South Florida market and our commitment to building Ocean Aviation into the preeminent premium FBO platform in the region.”
David Chene, Managing Partner at Kennedy Lewis Investment Management
