Wheels Up expands US operations

Wheels Up is expanding its operations from Van Nuys, California, with the addition of Cessna Citation Excel/XLS aircraft to its West Coast-based fleet of King Air 350i aircraft.

The company has appointed Miles Rogers as chief strategy officer. He will work with senior vice president, Andre Hazelwood, to drive the West Coast business.

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Kenny Dichter, founder and CEO of Wheels Up, says: “The West Coast is a perfect corridor for Wheels Up’s ‘mission-appropriate’ aircraft, including our members-only private fleet of King Air 350i and Cessna Citation Excel/XLS. Our aircraft offer superior performance, provide access to more airports and, ultimately, deliver the most efficient and cost beneficial private aviation solution for local and regional flights.

With Miles and Andre driving our membership and business development efforts on the West Coast, I have no doubt that Wheels Up will experience rapid growth in this important region.”

Prior to joining Wheels Up, Rogers served as senior vice president of Marquis Jet.

Rogers says: “I’m honoured and excited to join the Wheels Up Team and have the opportunity to once again work alongside Kenny, who has been a long-term mentor.”

Wheels Up also announced at NBAA 2014 that it is starting King Air operations out of Texas. “Starting 1 November, we will have aircraft based in Dallas and Houston, giving us a national presence for our King Air 350i programme,” said Dichter.