By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

The decision by Executive AirShare to begin service in Buffalo goes beyond a fleet of time-share jets and turbo props coming to the region.

After one year of courting, the Kansas City, Mo.-based company will officially start service this week when its first local customer boards one of its four-set private jets to Boston.

But Buffalo isn't just another location: The company expects it to be the Northeast hub, according to Keith Plumb, president and chief operating officer.

"We do expect to grow our fleet here and grow our customer base in Buffalo," Plumb said. "This is going to be our home in the Northeast."

Besides the immediate Buffalo Niagara region, Executive AirShare is targeting companies and customers throughout Upstate New York, portions of Pennsylvania and Southern Ontario.

The company is leasing 27,000 square feet of hangar space from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, plus 4,400 square feet of office space in the same building - a former Sierra Research and Bell Aircraft hangar on Cayuga Drive.

Plumb said Executive AirShare invested $9 million in the Buffalo operation and initially will hire 13 employees, including eight or nine pilots.

The company was attracted to the region thanks in part to a pitch made by local resident David Jones, who has known Plumb since their college days at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla. Also part of the pitch were Buffalo Niagara Enterprise and the NFTA.

Erie County Executive Chris Collins said the collaborative effort was key because other cities were being considered, including Syracuse, Albany and Rochester.

"It's never just one reason why someone like Executive AirShare comes to Buffalo," Collins said.

It's the second airline to announce service to the region in recent weeks. In late October, the NFTA cut a deal with low-cost air carrier Spirit Airlines to begin service to Niagara Falls International Airport, starting in January.

Unlike scheduled carriers, Executive AirShare sells 1/16th shares of its aircraft to private customers.

The company plans to fly a nine-passenger Phenom 350 turbo prop and four-passenger Phenom 100 jet to Buffalo. A seven-passenger Phenom 300 jet could arrive next year, along with additional Phenom 350s and Phenoms 100s, depending on customer demand.

The shares begin at $299,500, according to Jones. Customers have use of the airplanes up to 20 days a year.

The turbo prop flies at approximately 350 mph and transports passengers to places in South Florida, Texas and the Midwest. The Phenom 100 travels at 440 mph and is typically used for flights of 1,000 miles or less. A standard 737 travels at 500 mph, although it can go longer distances.

Executive AirShare promotes itself as offering hassle-free, private and direct flights for corporate customers or individuals who don't want to deal with busy air terminals. The planes are licensed to land at virtually every major and secondary airport in North America.

"It opens a lot of doors," said Rep. Chris Lee, R-Clarence.

The 10-year-old company has similar operations in such cities as Kansas City, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth and Dallas.