Writer

Amy Laboda

Fort Lauderdale FBO, air ambulance, business jet charter, airport properties and jet management company National Jets (Booth 3506) is offering barista-pulled Cuban coffee and the chance to win one of two Garmin D2 GPS timepieces daily during the first two days of the NBAA Convention. It’s Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) International-based FBO National Jets Air Center is also currently running a fuel discount promotion, offering aircraft taking up to 10,000 gallons a $3.62 per-gallon price. Patrons need simply mention the “fuel price special” to receive the rate.
National Jets has a long history in Florida, beginning in the 1960s when the Boy brothers incorporated in the state and set up shop at Fort Lauderdale International Airport, operating DC-3, -4, -6, and -7s, Super Constellations and Convairs to South and Central America. The company also flew fresh produce and refrigerated goods to islands throughout the Caribbean for a major grocery store chain. Additionally, it operated a fleet of 20 aircraft throughout the U.S. distributing the Wall Street Journal. Thomas E. Boy is still chairman of the board and director. 
In the early 1970s, National Jets purchased its first Learjet and became a flight school focused on fighter pilots transitioning out of the military and into corporate aviation. Soon after, National began executive and private jet charter flights throughout North, South and Central America and the Caribbean. In 1976 the company expanded into air ambulance medevacs, flying for children's hospitals and cruise ships. More recently, longer-range Learjets were added to the charter fleet.
Today, the privately owned company and its subsidiaries employ 108 staff members.