Horizon Air Group has made remarkable strides during its foundational years, having acquired Word Class Jet (dba Starbase Jet) last summer and now rebranding itself as LEVIATE. As the company has expanded, it has developed into one of the only business aviation companies with fully dedicated air charter brokerage, aircraft sales and acquisitions, and FAA air carrier divisions all under one roof.
Initially started as a boutique air charter brokerage, company leadership had not expected such rapid growth, nor developing into an FAA certified air carrier. The entry into aircraft operations even garnered the direct attention of $2 billion aviation giant Alaska Airlines over their abandoned use name.
“To say they [Alaska/Horizon Airlines] had no influence on our rebranding decision wouldn’t be the whole truth, but we honestly also took it as a compliment that our once small company so quickly caught the eye of such a powerhouse in aviation. It has also allowed us the freedom to create a brand and mark that is uniquely our own and can symbolize all the great new offerings that are now at our disposal,” says Luis Barros, Founder and CEO of Leviate.
The company has continued to grow with each success, adding to its capabilities from charter brokers, to whole aircraft brokerage to aircraft operator in just a few short years. LEVIATE has also recently added a new, large cabin Challenger 604 aircraft to its fleet, which will provide the charter company greater capability to service clients. This addition complements Leviate’s charter fleet to operate in a worldwide capacity.
With the capability to be a fully comprehensive aviation company, Horizon Air Group leadership decided a name change was necessary, and LEVIATE exemplifies the underlying principles which drive the benefits it offers clients. The company is continually on the rise, and the unique name of LEVIATE captures the essence of that upward movement. Leviate is also in unique position being a worldwide FAA certificate holder that is 100 percent owned by full-time aviation professionals having no unwanted third-party influence.
What began with just two employees in 2015 now employs a full-time team of dedicated pilots, operations staff, sales representatives, administrators, and brokers. More growth is expected, putting this company in a league with some of the more formidable aviation service providers in the country.
“By the close of 2020,” Barros says, “we anticipate having 20 aircraft under our management. This will position LEVIATE as a substantial air charter operator in the U.S.”
