News
Aurora Jet partners bring market innovation
June 19, 2012, Edmonton - Two new chapters in the Alberta aviation story will be turned June 20, with the official introduction of a Canadian aircraft-ownership innovation and a newly constructed $26 million, four- bay hangar and office complex at the Edmonton International Airport.
June 19, 2012 By Carey Fredericks
Aurora Jet Partners is the innovation. It has been created by Morningstar Partners of Edmonton and Opus Aviation of Vancouver, companies founded and operated by Don Wheaton, Kim Ward, Daryl Katz and The Ledcor Group.
Morningstar brings fractional-ownership experience to the partnership; Opus, jet-charter experience. "Aurora Jet bridges the gap between ownership and charter," says Aurora co-owner Don Wheaton
 "It is designed for the busy traveller who flies between 50 and 200 hours per year and desires the guaranteed consistent service of full-jet ownership without having to buy the whole jet."
The company's jet partnership model allows partners to own anywhere from one-eighth of an aircraft (equivalent to 100 occupied hours of flying per year) to full jet ownership. Partners in the program can trade their jet time in order to match a particular mission's distance or required seats to any jet in Aurora's fleet – which range in size from the four-seat Embraer Phenom 100 to the Bombardier Challenger 605 built for 12 passengers. Aurora Jet Partners was the first company in Canada to offer the Phenom 100 and will also be the first to introduce it's big brother, the Phenom 300, to Canadian operations this summer.
"Every detail of jet ownership, such as dispatch, maintenance, accounting and regulatory, is managed by Aurora Jet Partners team of experienced professionals with Safety and Customer Service at the forefront." says Bill McGoey, president of Aurora Jet Partners. "When you need to travel, you simply tell us when and where you want to go. We take care of every aspect of the trip so our partners can relax and enjoy their private jet knowing they're in the best of hands. We have more than 40 years experience in the business".
Aurora Jet relocated its headquarters to the new hangar facility and FBO private jet departure lounge at Edmonton International, and is one of three partners who developed the facility along with two other local Edmonton businesses: York Realty and Sawridge Group.
The FBO (Fixed Base Operator) in the new facility is operated by Aurora Jet Partners offering third party flight support services, a fuel dealership, a luxurious private jet departure lounge, and ultra-comfortable pilot crew facilities.
