By Lisa Gordon | March 7, 2014 Estimated reading time 3 minutes, 24 seconds.
With a presence at more than 85 per cent of Quebec’s airports, Avjet is a big name in aviation fuelling. Founded in 2009, the company is the new face of the aviation division of Les Petroles Therrien Inc., formerly known as Petro-T, a 25-year-old industry name. Acquired by the Desjardins Group and co-owners Denis Jacob and Sylvain Touchette, Avjet provides three main services today, largely at regional airports: fixed base operations (FBOs), drummed fuel, and bulk tanker fuel.
With close to 200 employees in the peak winter season, Avjet – which is headquartered in Drummondville, Que. – has been on a steady path toward expansion through acquisition. Company president and CEO Denis Jacob – who is a former CEO of Air Transat – told Canadian Skies that since taking over the business a little more than four years ago, he and his partners have invested in new and refurbished fuel trucks, as well as opening more service points.
Currently, Avjet fuel is found in 59 Quebec airports, with five FBOs in Quebec City, Montreal (Trudeau), Montreal (St-Hubert), Gatineau, and Sept-Îles. The company’s flagship FBO is its brand new, state-of-the-art facility in Quebec City (CYQB). Officially opened last December, the 10,000 square foot FBO cost more than $4 million to build, and features a large ramp, a VIP waiting room, and a section dedicated exclusively to charter customers. The new Avjet FBO will employ about 35 people, said Jacob.
Last August, Avjet also purchased Trans-Sol, an FBO and ground services company that has been operating in Quebec since 1972. “Avjet was not in the ground handling business, so when we bought TransSol, it allowed us to offer a one-stop shop,” said Jacob. “They have hangar space, and can take up to four Dash 8s. We bought new equipment, new de-icing trucks, and hired more people.”
Jacob said there are currently no plans to change Trans-Sol’s name. Its Quebec City facility will continue to operate alongside the new Avjet FBO, with the former catering to commercial business, while the FBO will focus its attention on VIP and corporate clients.
In terms of future expansion, Jacob said Avjet is looking at other market opportunities. “Our advantage is that we are partnered with Desjardins, and they have the funds to back our development,” he said.
The company aims to grow its FBO business through expansion into Ontario and Western Canada over the next few years. It is already the largest provider of drummed fuel in the aviation sector; however, bulk fuel sales currently account for its largest revenue stream.
Recently, Avjet received the Air Transat award for “Best Aviation Fuel Supply” for 2013.
