Traverse City-based business aviation operator Air Services Inc., (ASI) has been purchased by local investment group 1100 Holdings from owner Roy Nichols.
Mr. Nichols will stay on in a consulting role.
ASI specializes in cost-effective charter solutions by matching the type of aircraft to the mission required by the client. From the 5-seat Baron to the 8-seat Cessna CJ3 jet and King Air 200 turboprop, ASI works closely with clients to provide the level of convenience only private charter can deliver.
Three 1100 Holdings members will join the ASI management team: Omer ErSelcuk as CEO, David Ziemer as President, and Michael Hannon as the Director of Maintenance. ErSelcuk, Ziemer, and Hannon bring decades of aviation, market development, and business growth experience to ASI. They also bring local connections: Hannon was introduced to the region when flying for Delta regional carrier Mesaba, and ErSelcuk has four decades of family ties to Torch Lake.
According to ErSelcuk, “ASI has an outstanding team in place, loyal customers, and a 24-year history of safety and excellence. We are honored to continue what Roy began in 1994 and will work with our employees, clients, and partners to meet the air transportation needs of Traverse City, Northern Michigan, and beyond.”
While the initial focus of the incoming management team will be to build on ASI’s traditional business of charter and aircraft management, they are also ready to begin planning for additional services to better address the frequent air travel needs of year-round and seasonal residents.
“Traverse City is well-served by legacy carriers during the summer, in particular. However, we know there are air travel needs in the region that are not being met and we’re digging in to learn how ASI can provide additional or new services to meet that demand,” says ErSelcuk.