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Volato Partners with Banyan Air Service to Expand Maintenance Capabilities in Southeast for Growing Fleet of HondaJets

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Volato Inc. (NYSE American: SOAR) announced a strategic agreement with Banyan Air Service to expand HondaJet maintenance at Volato’s primary operational base, marking Banyan's first venture outside of Fort Lauderdale. The move creates a new authorized HondaJet maintenance facility in St. Augustine, Florida, and includes the sublease of Volato’s hangar to provide full-scale maintenance services for Volato’s growing fleet of HondaJets. The integration of services commenced on January 2nd, with the initial sublease term set for three years. Additionally, Banyan has absorbed Volato’s existing maintenance staff and plans to hire up to eight additional maintenance roles in 2024. This initiative streamlines Volato’s operations, supports fleet expansion, and delivers operational efficiency and cost savings compared to previous in-house maintenance.
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Insights

The strategic agreement between Volato Inc. and Banyan Air Service represents a significant development within the private aviation sector, particularly for the HondaJet market. The establishment of a new authorized HondaJet maintenance facility can be expected to enhance the operational efficiency of Volato, which could translate into improved customer satisfaction and potentially increased demand for HondaJet services. By expanding the geographical footprint of Banyan, there is a clear indication of growth and a strategic move to capture a larger market share within the region.

This partnership could signal a broader trend in the aviation industry towards consolidation of services and expansion of maintenance networks, which can lead to improved economies of scale. Investors and stakeholders might view this as a positive indicator of Volato's commitment to service excellence and proactive management of fleet maintenance, which is critical in the aviation industry. The absorption of Volato's maintenance staff by Banyan, along with the planned hiring, suggests job growth and investment in human capital, which is often a driver for improved service quality and business performance.

The agreement's impact on Volato's financials could be multifaceted. On one hand, the sublease of the hangar and integration of maintenance services could lead to cost reductions in the short-term due to operational efficiencies. In the long-term, it may contribute to a leaner operating model for Volato, with potential positive effects on the company's profit margins. The three-year sublease term provides a stable outlook for maintenance operations, which is an essential aspect of fleet management and can affect the company's financial planning and forecasting.

Additionally, the operational efficiency and cost savings mentioned by Volato's CEO, Matt Liotta, suggest that the company is looking to optimize its cost structure. This could be an attractive point for investors, as it demonstrates a strategic approach to managing expenses while expanding the fleet. The market will likely monitor how these efficiencies translate into financial performance in the subsequent quarters and whether they provide Volato with a competitive advantage in the private aviation market.

The creation of a new authorized HondaJet maintenance facility is a noteworthy development for the aviation industry. It showcases the growing ecosystem of HondaJet, which is relatively new to the market compared to other private jets. The facility's location at Volato's primary operational base in St. Augustine underscores the importance of strategic positioning to ensure quick turnaround times for maintenance, which is crucial for maintaining high aircraft utilization rates.

For HondaJet operators in the region, the increased accessibility to authorized maintenance services could improve aircraft uptime and reliability. It also reflects on HondaJet's expanding infrastructure and commitment to support its aircraft, which can be a key consideration for operators when choosing an aircraft brand. This move could potentially influence the market dynamics for private jet sales and services in the Southeast region, with implications for the competitive landscape among private aviation companies.

--Agreement expands Banyan’s geographical footprint outside of Fort Lauderdale for the first time since its founding in 1979

--Creates new authorized HondaJet maintenance facility, a net benefit for growing HondaJet ecosystem

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Volato Inc. (NYSE American: SOAR) (“Volato”), a leading private aviation company and the largest HondaJet operator in the United States, today announced a strategic agreement with Banyan Air Service to expand HondaJet maintenance at Volato’s primary operational base. As part of the agreement, Banyan has subleased Volato’s hangar at the Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Augustine, Florida, to provide full-scale maintenance services for Volato’s growing fleet of HondaJets.

The move is Banyan's first venture outside of Fort Lauderdale and marks the establishment of an additional authorized HondaJet service facility in the state of Florida. The integration of services commenced on January 2nd, with the initial sublease term set for three years. Additionally, Banyan has absorbed Volato’s existing maintenance staff and plans to hire up to eight additional maintenance roles in 2024.

"We are thrilled to partner with Banyan, increasing maintenance capacity for our expanding HondaJet fleet in the Southeast right in our own backyard," said Matt Liotta, Co-Founder and CEO of Volato. "This initiative streamlines Volato’s operations and will support our fleet expansion, delivering both operational efficiency and cost savings compared to our previous in-house maintenance.”

"Expanding into St. Augustine represents a major milestone for Banyan, marking our first venture beyond Fort Lauderdale," said Don Campion, President of Banyan. "We look forward to increasing regional accessibility by creating an additional authorized HondaJet maintenance center for operators throughout the region."

Volato will continue to participate in HondaJet’s maintenance program, now with the benefit of more convenient access to full-service maintenance facilities at its primary flight operations location.

About Volato

Volato is a full-service private aviation company providing modern ways to enjoy luxury private jets through innovative, efficient, and sustainable solutions. Volato provides a fresh approach to fractional ownership, aircraft management, jet card, deposit and charter programs. Volato's fractional programs uniquely offer flexible hours and a revenue share for owners in a fleet of HondaJets, which are optimized for missions of up to four passengers. For more information visit www.flyvolato.com.

All Volato Part 135 charter flights are operated by its DOT/FAA-authorized air carrier subsidiary (G C Aviation, Inc. d/b/a Volato) or by an approved vendor air carrier.

About Banyan Air Service

Founded in 1979, Banyan Air Service has proudly served the aviation industry for more than 40 years. Strategically located at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (KFXE) in South Florida, Banyan is ideally situated as a gateway for flights to the Bahamas, Caribbean, and South America. Recognized for its world-class facilities and exceptional service, Banyan is an FAA and EASA-approved repair station with maintenance and avionics repair station approvals for numerous countries, offering a comprehensive range of business aviation services including heavy maintenance, interior modifications, turbine engine service, structural repairs, avionics services, aircraft parts, and aircraft sales and management. Additionally, Banyan's complex boasts the renowned Banyan Pilot Shop and the Jet Runway Café. With a wide array of services and voted #1 U.S. FBO, Banyan Air Service is the one-stop solution for all aviation needs in Florida. For more information visit www.banyanair.com.

For Media:

media@flyvolato.com



For Investors:

investors@flyvolato.com

Source: Volato Inc.

FAQ

What is the strategic agreement announced by Volato Inc. (SOAR)?

Volato Inc. (SOAR) announced a strategic agreement with Banyan Air Service to expand HondaJet maintenance at Volato’s primary operational base, marking Banyan's first venture outside of Fort Lauderdale.

What is the significance of the agreement between Volato Inc. (SOAR) and Banyan Air Service?

The agreement creates a new authorized HondaJet maintenance facility in St. Augustine, Florida, and includes the sublease of Volato’s hangar to provide full-scale maintenance services for Volato’s growing fleet of HondaJets.

When did the integration of services commence under the agreement?

The integration of services commenced on January 2nd, with the initial sublease term set for three years.

What are the future plans of Banyan Air Service in relation to the agreement with Volato Inc. (SOAR)?

Banyan has absorbed Volato’s existing maintenance staff and plans to hire up to eight additional maintenance roles in 2024.

How does the agreement benefit Volato Inc. (SOAR)?

The initiative streamlines Volato’s operations, supports fleet expansion, and delivers operational efficiency and cost savings compared to previous in-house maintenance.

Volato Group, Inc.

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