Media Releases

Zurich, Switzerland  —  After more than 40 years with Jet Aviation Basel, Elie Zelouf has elected to retire effective February 1, 2009. He will, however, continue to serve Jet Aviation in Basel in an advisory role.

Elie Zelouf has left an indelible mark on Jet Aviation. He became part of Jet Aviation during the pioneering days, when founder Carl W. Hirschmann acquired Globe Air in Basel in 1967, where Zelouf held the position of deputy technical director. In 1976 Carl W. Hirschmann appointed him general manager of Jet Aviation Basel. Zelouf remained in that position until 1999; when he decided to step down to take on a new role in key customer support in Basel. In 2001 he was asked to help establish the newly acquired Jet Aviation maintenance and FBO operation in London Biggin Hill where he successfully integrated the company into Jet Aviation's global network. He returned to Jet Aviation Basel in 2004 and has since been in charge of key customers. Now he has decided to retire but will continue to assist Jet Aviation in Basel in an advisory role during two days a week.

Elie Zelouf is a man of action who has accumulated a wealth of knowledge over the many years and knows first hand what clients expect. Even in difficult times, Zelouf always believed in the future of business aviation. To this day customers from all over the world look forward to meeting Elie Zelouf, as he was instrumental in building up the company's Basel facility, leading the early days of business aviation in Europe.

At the age of 75, Elie Zelouf has served Jet Aviation for more than four decades, helping to shape the company and substantially contributing to its success from its very first days onward with utmost commitment and dedication.

"On behalf of the entire Jet Aviation Group I would like to thank him for his outstanding work and relentless efforts in developing Jet Aviation Basel into one of the most reputable maintenance and completions centers in the world," says Peter G. Edwards, President of the Jet Aviation Group.