Wheels Up bolsters commercial team with new hires

Private aviation company Wheels Up announced that it has expanded its commercial team with new hires to strengthen its business development efforts.

Tanya Weed, former senior vice president of sales at VistaJet, has been appointed director of new business. Weed has over 15 years of experience in private aviation and was pivotal in building VistaJet’s US presence.

To support her sales efforts, Wheels Up said it has appointed Maris Kuklis and Luigi Contessi for the roles of business development manager and regional business development director respectively.

Maris brings extensive experience in aviation, tourism and business development having previously supported global expansion initiatives at JetBlue Airways, Etihad Airways and international tourism boards.

Luigi comes with over 30 years of executive experience across airlines, charter brokers and private aviation firms. He also founded Ubefly, specialising in private jet and group charters.

Wheels Up said the new will be based in US and Europe, enhancing the company’s global reach and regional expertise.

Last week, Wheels Up sold three non-core services businesses including Baines Simmons, Kenyon International Emergency Services and Redline Assured Security to London-based TrustFlight for $20m.

The three businesses were a part of Wheels Up’s $110m acquisition of Air Partner in 2022.

Wheels Up plans to use these funds to support its ongoing fleet modernisation strategy and general corporate purposes.