Las Vegas Airports Director Is Board Vice Chair Of World Fuel’s Air Elite Network

The Clark County Board of Commissioners agreed to delay a fee increase by its Department of Aviation to review questions about whether Ben Czyzewski, Managing Director of General Aviation Airports, is subject to conflict of interest due to his position as the volunteer Vice Chair of the Board of World Fuel’s Air Elite Network.

World Fuel is the fuel provider for North Las Vegas (VGT), Henderson Executive (HND), Perkins Field (U08), and Jean (0L7) airports, all staffed and managed by Clark County. The FBOs at VGT and HND are members of the Air Elite network and as such, enjoy benefits such as branding, fuel discounts, and exacting standards of service and safety.

Several pilots who are tenants based at Henderson and North Las Vegas raised concerns at public meetings regarding changes to their lease agreements. They had questions for Jim Chrisley, the incoming aviation director about the hangar leases, the conflict of interest claims, and the relationship between HND and VGT with regard to World Fuel’s role.

Chrisley and other aviation department officials presented the new fees, which haven’t been updated in 15 years, to the Clark County Commissioners. Aviation leaders insist that the proposal, named Title 20, is not related at all to fuel prices at the airports.

Chrisley said, “Let me be clear, the fuel is completely separate from what we were updating in rates and charges. These were things like tie-down spaces for small aircraft, shade hangers, when a transient jet comes in and pays based on how long they stay, the parking fees, et cetera.”

Some questioned the fact that fuel and fuel purchases are mentioned numerous times in Title 20. Some of the fee changes are directly related to fuel discounts for transient pilots, but Chrisley hesitates to link Title 20 to fuel discounts.

Chrisley explained, “If you purchase a certain amount of fuel, your aircraft parking fees are either reduced or waived depending on how much fuel you purchase. That is a typical procedure done and that’s and once again, that second page is strictly for our transient customers.”

Concerning the Air Elite connection, Chrisley said, “They are a customer service program that we participate in with our employees, our facilities, we meet a standard to be deemed air elite worthy, and that’s what this is all about, to improve our marketing. Let’s look at the Super Bowl and Formula One. The reason those were so successful is we were able to provide that unbelievable level of customer experience at both general aviation airports.”

FMI:  www.clarkcountynv.gov/