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Fort Lauderdale-Based Makers Air Acquires Staniel Air

The airline will expand its services by adding new flights using additional aircraft and hangar real estate.

Makers Air, a seasoned leader in the aviation sector with an illustrious 30-year history, has announced the successful acquisition of Staniel Air, a distinguished company renowned for its specialized luxury air travel services. This strategic move reinforces Makers Air’s commitment to unmatched travel experiences from South Florida to the Bahamas and Exuma Islands while expanding the number of flights, aircraft fleet, staff, and hangar capacity and fortifying service capabilities.

“It is an honor to celebrate this major milestone for Makers Air in the acquisition of Staniel Air,” says David Hocher, president and owner of Makers Air. This acquisition complements and fortifies Makers Air’s capabilities, bolstering our existing fleet and enlarging our existing hangar capacity. By assimilating Staniel Air’s aircraft into the Makers Air portfolio, we are well positioned to provide expanded services to current destinations, add new scheduled routes, as well as enhance our private charter division.”

Following the acquisition, Makers Air’s fleet is set to expand by almost 20%, and the airline’s flight availability is expected to increase by 25%. With 24/7 booking options, customers will have more flexibility to create personalized travel itineraries, in line with the customer-centric approach both brands are known for. Additionally, the acquisition will enable Makers Air to take over Staniel Air’s existing hangar, allowing for more space for aircraft, lounge areas, and improved guest service. Makers Air is headquartered at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE).

Guests can continue to enjoy Makers Air’s excellent air service and also book day trips throughout the Bahamas and Exuma Islands with expanded boat offerings for large groups, additional snorkeling trips, new water toy equipment, and classic experiences like feeding the famous Exuma pigs, swimming with nurse sharks, sandbar hopping, and snorkeling in grottos.

The seamless transition will preserve the exceptional service ethos that characterizes both Makers Air and Staniel Air. Passengers can expect continuity in the familiar faces synonymous with high-caliber service and personalized attention, as a substantial proportion of Staniel Air’s existing workforce will be retained. This underscores the preservation of core values essential to both entities’ success.

With over 30 years of experience in the aviation industry, Makers Air has established a reputation for excellence, innovation and dependability, always striving to provide exceptional travel experiences. The acquisition of Staniel Air is a significant milestone for the company, propelling it to new heights of success while building on its distinguished record of accomplishments and customer satisfaction.

Based out of Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Makers Air is a Part 135 charter operator that offers both on-demand and scheduled service to the Bahamas and within Florida. A family-owned business founded in 1999, this boutique airline provides a personalized and upscale alternative to commercial flying. Makers Air offers multiple daily flights at competitive prices, connecting passengers to many of the most pristine and hard-to-reach destinations in the Bahamas. The airline is dedicated to providing an exceptional travel experience that is both effortless and exciting, making it the perfect choice for journey seekers.

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Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.