Aircraft management firm The Air Group launched a discount fuel program and a co-branded Visa card available free to its management clients and for a fee to corporate aircraft operators. The Air Group purchases bulk fuel and passes on savings in its new SmartFuel Program. For handling and ramp fees, The Air Group passes on costs without markups.

To help customers decide where to purchase fuel, The Air Group is issuing “fuel grades” for FBOs, ranking them according to prices for fuel, ramp, handling and security fees. To help cut international handling costs, The Air Group has developed a new cost-per-leg matrix that should save operators up to 35 percent, according to the company, “by reducing communication charges, discounted pricing for overflight and landing permits, discounted charges for flight plans and weather briefings, and providing billing in real time, complete with proper back-up for all expenses.” The co-branded Visa card has client-designated spending limits, and the company will track crew expenses each time the card is used.