What is an FBO? What private flyers should know
What is an FBO, and what does it have to do with your flight? The abbreviation says nothing about passengers. At JETAURA we arrange private jet charter flights, so we look at the term from the passenger's side.
What is an FBO?
An FBO, or fixed-base operator, is a company at an airport that provides aeronautical services. According to the US Federal Aviation Administration, an FBO is "a commercial entity providing multiple aeronautical services such as fueling, maintenance, storage, ground and flight instruction, etc., to the public."
The definition comes from the FAA Airport Compliance Manual, Order 5190.6C. Notice what it lists first: fuel, maintenance, storage. The passenger lounge isn't in it. So the regulatory answer to "what is an FBO" is about aircraft.
What happens at an FBO on your travel day
There is no single FBO routine. Two airports show how different it can look.
Teterboro, near New York. Take an international private flight landing there. Where do the passengers leave the airport? The CBP fact sheet for Teterboro (December 2025) starts with a rule: "All crew and passengers will be processed inside the FIS", the federal inspection facility. There are two of them, and the passenger doesn't pick. CBP states that the aircraft operator must request its preferred facility when it requests landing rights, the permission to land. The choice decides the ending. At Hangar 1, "passengers must reboard aircraft at the conclusion of their inspection and taxi to their FBO." At the Jet Aviation facility, "passengers can depart direct from the FIS."
Farnborough, near London. Here the airport describes the checks as part of its own service. Farnborough Airport states that its "on-site customs, immigration and screening service" clears passengers "before you're escorted to your awaiting aircraft for boarding."
Same kind of flight, two different sequences. That is why we don't describe a standard FBO experience. If customs is part of your trip, read how private jet customs works.
FBO, handling agent, operator, broker: who does what
Knowing the difference tells you whom to ask.
| Role | What it does | Source |
|---|---|---|
| FBO | Provides aeronautical services such as fueling, maintenance and storage. At Teterboro, passengers taxi to "their FBO" after inspection at Hangar 1 | FAA Order 5190.6C · CBP Teterboro fact sheet |
| Handling agent | Provides groundhandling services to airport users. At some airports it is mandatory | UK Groundhandling Regulations 1997 · UK AIP London Luton |
| Operator | Carries out the flight. At Teterboro, it requests the inspection facility | JETAURA · CBP Teterboro fact sheet |
| Broker (JETAURA) | Checks available aircraft, sends you options and a quote, and coordinates the next steps with the operator after you confirm | JETAURA |
| Authorities | Customs and inspection | CBP Teterboro fact sheet |
UK law defines groundhandling as services "provided to airport users at airports". It also describes "self-handling", where an airport user provides those services for itself without a contract with a third party. Some airports make a handling agent mandatory instead. The UK AIP for London Luton states that a nominated handling agent is mandatory for all visiting aircraft. More on the airports themselves: private jet airports around London and private jet airports around New York.
We find this table more useful than any description of a lounge. When something on the ground matters to you, it tells you whether the answer sits with the airport, the operator or us.
What this means in practice for your request
You don't need to pick an FBO to ask for a flight. What helps is giving us the details that shape the ground part of the trip from the start.
Include in your request:
- Departure airport or city, and destination
- Date and number of passengers
- Whether the flight crosses a border
- Luggage and special items, such as sports equipment
- Pets or children on board
- Transfer to the airport, if you want one (depending on the flight and operator)
What depends on others:
- Which checks happen on the ground, and in what order: the airport and the authorities
- Which inspection facility is used at Teterboro: the operator
- Arrival time before departure: the airport, the terminal and the operator
- Catering and luggage capacity: the aircraft and the operator
Tell us your wishes with the request. When choosing the departure airport, we consider distance, aircraft type, availability and operational requirements. Airport fees are one of the factors in a charter price, which is why you get a quote tailored to your trip from us rather than a flat "from" price. The basics about arriving at the airport are in our FAQ.
Frequently asked questions
What does FBO stand for?
FBO stands for fixed-base operator. The FAA uses the term for a commercial entity at an airport that provides aeronautical services to the public, such as fueling, maintenance, storage and flight instruction. The definition describes services to aircraft and does not mention passenger lounges.
Is an FBO the same as a private jet terminal?
Not quite. An FBO is a company, not a building. The FAA definition lists services to aircraft, such as fueling, maintenance and storage, and does not mention passenger terminals. How passengers are handled depends on the airport: at Teterboro, US customs describes passengers at Hangar 1 taxiing to "their FBO" after inspection.
Do you go through security screening at an FBO?
It depends on the airport. Farnborough Airport in the UK states that it offers on-site customs, immigration and screening before passengers are escorted to the aircraft. Other airports organise checks differently.
What is the difference between an FBO and a handling agent?
The two terms come from different rulebooks. An FBO, as the FAA defines it, is a commercial entity providing aeronautical services such as fueling, maintenance and storage. Under UK law, groundhandling means services provided to airport users at airports. Some airports make a handling agent mandatory: the UK AIP states this for all visiting aircraft at London Luton.
Planning a private flight
So what is an FBO for you as a passenger? A service company on the airfield, and one of several parties on the ground. Our part is to check suitable aircraft, send you options and, once you confirm, coordinate the next steps with the operator. For how that compares with a scheduled flight, see private jet vs first class.
About JETAURA Written by the aviation team at JETAURA. JETAURA arranges private jet charter flights through a network of aviation partners and operators. We check suitable aircraft for each request and put together matching options; the flight itself is carried out by the respective operator.