George J. Priester Aviation has acquired Part 135 operators Maxair (United States of America) and Elite Jets (United States of America). The move follows the takeover of two other carriers, Omni Air Transport and Sunrise Jets, in mid-2025.

“Maxair and Elite Jets are experts in owned aircraft charter; Priester Aviation, Mayo Aviation, Hill Private Aviation, and Omni Air Transport specialise in aircraft management and ad-hoc charter. Bringing these capabilities together creates new opportunities to serve clients more comprehensively while expanding opportunities for team members over time,” said chairman Andy Priester.

Together, Maxair and Elite Jets add 17 aircraft to George J. Priester Aviation's fleet. Of these, 16 are available for charter, including seven Phenom 300s and a Pilatus PC-24 under Maxair's Part 135 certificate, and four Phenom 300s, a Legacy 500, an Astra Galaxy, a G200, and a GV under Elite Jets'.

Both companies will retain their branding within the group. Maxair's Appleton Outgamie County Regional and Elite Jets' Naples Municipal bases will complement George J. Priester Aviation's presence in the Midwest, Rocky Mountain West, Southeast, and South Central regions.

In mid-2025, the group acquired Omni Air Transport and Sunrise Jets. At the time, a company spokesperson told ch-aviation that all Part 135 certificates across the group would be merged into Priester Aviation's certificate. Whether the same approach will apply to the Maxair and Elite Jets certificates remains unclear.

According to the latest Federal Aviation Administration - FAA data, all Part 135 certificates within the group remain active. Mayo Aviation currently operates 13 aircraft, Omni Air Transport seven, and Sunrise Jets one. Priester Aviation's Part 135-certified fleet totals 22 aircraft.

With the latest acquisitions, Priester Aviation continues to advance plans to take over family-owned aircraft management and charter companies, a strategy outlined by Priester in an exclusive interview with ch-aviation in 2024.