Pittsburgh Jet Center (PJC) has announced that the ownership group of Jets.com, the New York-based charter brokerage, has taken an equity interest in the Part 135 air carrier and FBO. PJC will continue to operate as an independent company and will support its managed fleet with its current staff.

Under the arrangement, PJC will rebrand under the name of Private Jet Center and keep its base of operations at Zelienople Municipal airport in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company will be led by co-founder Clayton Pegher, who will assume the role of CEO.

“We have identified an opportunity to combine the operational experience of Pittsburgh Jet Center with the sales force of Jets.com,” Pegher says. “This alliance will allow us to expand our fleet by offering aircraft management services to existing Jets.com clients and leverage the synergies of our relationship.”

Private Jet Center will continue operating from its existing locations with plans to expand into new markets by year-end. Pegher will be joined by Jets.com COO and partner Daniel Satterlund as both work to effectively grow the newly rebranded venture.

“Our forward-looking partnership will give our customers access to a more streamlined and efficient experience, achieved through technology enhancements, employee resources and aircraft utilisation strategies,” adds Pegher. “Our exceptional and talented group of employees will continue to achieve the highest service and safety standards, which is a top priority for us as an ARGUS Platinum-rated company.”

This alliance will build on the strong foundations that each company has built over the past 10 plus years.

“Current Jets.com clients and members can seamlessly access on-demand charter, jet card membership and, moving forward, aircraft management,” COO and partner of Jets.com Daniel Satterlund concludes. “Over the past several years we knew it was imperative to grow a fleet to serve our current and growing membership base.”