Major Chino Airport employer extends lease agreement

December 18, 2014 | Daily Bulletin

CHINO >> Threshold Aviation Group, which provides refueling, repair, maintenance and pilot service for jet aircraft at the Chino Airport, re-signed a contract with San Bernardino County to remain at Chino Airport, where it leases hangar and office space.

The lease agreement is for 10 years, and can be extended another 10 years, said Mark DiLullo, owner and CEO of Threshold Aviation Group. DiLullo said the company had been courted to move to other states, such as Nevada.

“At the end of the day, you do what you’re comfortable doing,” DiLullo said. “We have relationships with folks here in the county, the Federal Aviation Administration officials based in Riverside, and this is where the employees’ homes are. It’s very expensive to move. It makes sense to stay here.

Bob Velker, business liaison and community outreach manager at the Chino Airport, which is operated under the county’s Department of Airports, said Threshold is one of the largest employers at the Chino Airport. The company has 65 employees, including maintenance technicians and airplane mechanics. “The first thing that comes to mind is they’re one of the largest employers here, so the county really values them as a long-term, stakeholder tenant,” Velker said. “They’ve been here for many years, and we look forward to them being here many years into the future, and we appreciate the continuity of keeping their business here. We’re very excited and very grateful. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

Threshold Aviation Group, as a fixed-based operator, serves as sort of a gas station for planes at the airport. But it’s the only MRO, or maintenance and repair organization, at Chino Airport, serving jet aircraft, according to officials.

Among the work done at Threshold is as a refueling station for Boeing 737 freighters used to ferry parts for the auto industry.

“We have Boeing freighters come through. This is business we’ve attracted and recruited,” said DiLullo. “This business would normally go to Los Angeles. We convinced them that it’s less expensive and a quicker turnaround time to come to Chino.”

Threshold Aviation Group has gross annual sales of $10 million.

“We’re happy to be apart of the community,” DiLullo said. “We’ve established relationships with our employees, their families and members of the community. It’s with great pride that we continue to serve San Bernardino County and the Inland Empire.”

Information: www.flytti.com