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Skyservice celebrates 25th anniversary

Aug. 26, 2011 – Skyservice Business Aviation is a Canadian aviation enterprise celebrating a milestone – its 25th Anniversary of service to the global aviation market.

Skyservice CEO and founder Russ Payson developed a concept in a school paper he penned many years ago and has translated his vision into a benchmark for the business aviation industry focused on service excellence. “When we started Skyservice, we had a goal of bringing World Class Service to the Canadian market – we saw the opportunity to make our business unique in a growing and developing industry. Our first Fixed Base Operation in Montreal was the beginning of that realization with Toronto added in 1994, and most recently Calgary. The key to Skyservice’s success is the team of top industry specialists with a passion for absolute customer service above and beyond what is expected. I salute those who have shared the passion with us and look forward to the next 25 years.”

“For a business to reach 25 years is noteworthy’’ comments Marshall Myles, President. ‘’What I think makes our story unique is that over that time, Skyservice has grown from a single FBO in Montreal, to a truly global company, providing FBO facilities from three locations, Montreal, Toronto and Calgary, as well as operating aircraft and providing maintenance services for clients around the world. Our business includes highly skilled maintenance teams, outstanding FBO operations and facilities in three key locations, an air ambulance service and first-class business charter and aircraft management services. Everyone on our team works to the highest standards of quality and safety which has earned us an unprecedented level of trust from those we serve and support. I firmly believe that it sets us apart in this business. We are all working to make our company live up to its slogan – “Air Travel. Evolved.”

From a modest beginning with 15 Montréal based employees to more than 500 across Canada and deployed worldwide, Skyservice consistently ranks high in customer satisfaction surveys and operational audits. Skyservice implemented Transport Canada approved SMS (Safety Management System) in 2003, has been awarded the coveted Platinum rating by the Aviation Research Group/US (ARG/US), is the first non-US based operation to successfully complete the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF) audit, and will be IS-BAO (International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations) certified shortly. Award-winning FBOs and world-class services are integrated with the other service offerings such as aircraft maintenance, aircraft management, charter services and air ambulance.

The immaculate lounges and transient pilot amenities are co-located with their Authorized Maintenance Organization featuring certified Skyservice maintenance services on more than fifty aircraft types and approved service facility status from several aircraft manufacturers and avionics providers. In addition to supporting most business aircraft types, heavy maintenance is provided for numerous jet and turboprop regional aircraft.

Skyservice’s client list for the FBOs and management companies includes many top-ranked Canadian and international companies, international airlines, royal and state visitors. Having busy FBOs and managing approximately 60 aircraft encompassing more than twenty types in the demanding roles of private, charter and air ambulance around the world, 24/7 gives them unique challenges but a passion for safety, service and efficiency.

Dreams and Diversification take flight . . .
In the fall of 1994 Skyservice Airlines became the realization of another of Russell Payson’s personal dreams. Operating a pair of A320s leased, the new carrier flew to southern destinations on behalf of Sunquest Vacations. The airline division became one of the largest charter airlines in the country, operating 23 Airbus and Boeing aircraft. The Skyservice Airlines business model earned Payson a reputation in the industry for business success and has garnered him the respect of peers and competitors. In August of 2007, Skyservice announced the sale of the airline to Gibralt Capital Corporation of Vancouver, B.C. The airline ceased operation in the spring of 2010 under that new ownership.


Management for the future . . .
After the sale of their airline division, Russell Payson returned to the Skyservice Business Aviation and was joined by Marshall Myles in 2008 who assumed the role of president. His affiliation with Skyservice began in September 2000 when he joined the Skyservice Airlines Board of Directors and served as an active member through to the eventual sale of the company.

Marshall began his career with Roots and over a 30-year period with them held various roles, eventually seeing him appointed President and CEO in 2001. During his Roots tenure, Marshall was a key part of developing Roots and its “brand” into a global name and one of Canada’s most successful companies. He is putting this global business and service excellence expertise into focusing on the future of the company and shaping its next success paths.