It is with a heavy heart that I share the news that Elie Zelouf passed away on June 5, 2025, at the age of 90.
Elie was one of Jet Aviation’s very first employees in 1967, when he joined to oversee maintenance at our Basel site. From the beginning he was a dedicated and passionate employee, going above and beyond to ensure that customers felt cared for, and that their aircraft was in the best possible hands. In 1976 he took on the role of General Manager of Basel, and it was a regular sight to see him waiting on the tarmac to welcome an aircraft, no matter the time or day, or walking the hangars to check in on the teams.
Over his incredible 58-year career with Jet Aviation, Elie touched almost all parts of our business. He was GM of Basel when we started VIP completions in 1977, and it was he who laid the foundations of business aviation for many of our customers in the Middle East. Well past retirement he was still in the office, and I always looked forward to our chats, where he would grill me on performance and plans.
In 2024, Elie was inducted as a European Living Legend of Aviation. It was a well-deserved accolade, and I was incredibly proud and humbled to be by his side as he accepted it. He truly was a legend. His passion inspired generations, both in our company and beyond, and there are many of us who have grown our careers under his guidance. Elie was fundamental to Jet Aviation’s success over the years, and we would not be the company we are today without him.
For those of you who were lucky enough to know Elie, today will be a very sad day. I stand there grieving with you. We have lost a colleague, a mentor, and a friend. I encourage you to celebrate his life and legacy as we keep his memory alive in all of us at Jet Aviation and beyond.
My thoughts are with his family, and his many friends across the world.
Sincerely,
Jeremie Caillet
President
Condolences guestbook
Elie Zelouf was a legend at Jet Aviation, and well beyond. As we come together to celebrate his many achievements, we invite you to share your favorite memories or condolences.
77 entries.
My relationship with Elle began in 1997 when I joined Boeing Business Jets and quickly learned that Eli Zelouf was an important person for me to get to know in the business aviation world. We worked very closely with Jet Aviation and Elie was always helpful to me when I needed advice & counsel on the many aviation issues we worked on together. He was a real professional and a true friend over our years working together. I wish him peace and offer his family and friends my heartfelt condolences over his loss. Best wishes, Elie - I hope to see you on the other side,
Elie was one of the Aviation Legends that crossed many Generations, and kept his passion going to the last moment of his Life. He truly will be missed.
Our Condolences to his family and Loved ones.
I join my deepest condolences to Elie’s family. He was truly the most exceptional human being and we will all remember him as an example I think. Kindest regards
The Gentleman that was Mr Zelouf, is the reason so many of us have such happy and prosperous lives, with our families and loved ones in this wonderful region. Thankyou Mr Zelouf and rest in peace. X
The world has lost another great man.
There are few souls that have had such an impact on me in my life and he was one of very few. I learned many things from him, he will always remain one of the few people that i regard with the highest respect.
I was lucky to have met and worked for him and will cherish his laugh, smile and sound guidance forever.
He now can watch from above as so many try to fly to the height that he has risen, forever being the light....
If there's one person in the B&GA world who set the bar for excellence in Customer support, it's Elie Zelouf. Sincere condolence to the family
Have a nice trip Mr.Zelouf ✈️
It is with deep sadness that I read the news of the passing of Ellie Zelouf this morning.
Elie was truly a remarkable and talented leader who literally put Jet Aviation on the global map as one of the leading aviation maintenance and completion centers in the world.
I was very fortunate to bring one of the very first American Customers to Jet Aviation in 1980 when Jet Aviation completed a new Falcon 50 for the American Express Company. Working with Ellie on this project was truly a rewarding experience, as Ellie was such a perfectionist, and the interior completion of this aircraft was heralded as one of the very best at this time.
As a result of the great success of this first completion project with Ellie and his Basel team the Hirschmann family was able to make the decision to invest in operations in the United States. I will forever feel very blessed that I had the privilege to work closely with Ellie on this completion project and many others in the later years as we managed the initial start-up operations of Jet Aviation in America.
I remember well seeing the impressive photos of Ellie in his office when in his younger years he was a Swiss Mountaineer, having climbed the Matterhorn and many other challenging peaks throughout Switzerland. What ever task Ellie took on from climbing some of the most challenging Swiss Mountain Peaks to leading the completion projects on some of the largest and most complex VIP aircraft is an accomplishment that all of us can look up to with great admiration.
I will always remember Ellie’s infectious smile and how when any aircraft leaving his facility would be met with Ellie taking his personal handkerchief out of his pocket to give the aircraft a final wipe down touch as he waved goodbye to the smiles of the pilots who came to know and appreciate Ellie as a great leader.
Ellie, you will be greatly missed, and I will forever have gratitude in my heart for everything you did to successfully lead by example to demonstrate what true Swiss Craftsmanship was really all about.
To all of us who knew or worked with Ellie, we are indeed all very privileged! Rest in Peace Ellie, you have left all of us with great admiration for truly a remarkable man!
Bob Schaeberle
As a new employee or as a customer Monsieur Zelouf always made sure that you felt welcome. Merci !
I am so sad to hear that Elie passed away. My sincere condolences to his family
Ernst
I am sad to hear this news.
I worked with Elie for 22 Years. We were the same age and were both born in September . He was a simple Man, but above all, pasionate about aviation.
Since my retirement, I have so often thought of him.
Perhaps we will meet again one day up there when my time commes.
My sincere Condole to the family.
Deeply saddened by the passing of Elie Zelouf a true legend of aviation and a cornerstone of Jet Aviation.
His contributions to the world of aviation and VVIP operations were immense.
I was fortunate to meet him a humble, generous, and down to earth individual who left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.
A great loss to the aviation community.
May he rest in peace. 🕊️✈️
What a great man I last saw him in November on my trip to Jet to do some training for them, he always remembered my name and that I lived in the UK, we had a fantastic photo that is a prised position
He will be greatly missed a true superstar in Aviation.
Deeply touched to hear about Elie's passing away, I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family. I will remember him in best memory. Rest in Peace, dear Elie 🙏
With great sadness in my heart, I join all of you in the grief for the heavy loss of my friend Elie.
He was for me an example of great professionalism, devotion to work, an exceptional witness of how success can be achieved through respect for people and attention to detail.
I learned many things from Him and I will terribly miss our beautiful chats on all.
Rest in Peace my dear Elie.
On behalf of myself and the entire CAI I send heartfelt condolences to His family and to Jet Aviation .
Thanks Mr. Calliet for this initiative which contributes to keep alive the memory of Elie.
Man gets tired
Spirit don't
Man surrenders
Spirit won't
Man crawls
Spirit flies
Spirit lives when man dies
Man seems
Spirit is
Man dreams
The spirit lives
Man is tethered
Spirit is free
What spirit is man can be….Ellie is Spirit and always will be.
Farewell old friend, you are sorely missed. Sincere condolances to Benjamin and Michal, Hugh
Dear Elie, it was an honor to have known someone like you — kind, dependable, and capable. I still remember our first meeting at Jet Aviation. May you rest in peace
Dear Elie
You were…
A real gentleman !
A real leader !
A real legend !
It was a milestone for me the day I met you
Rest in peace…🥺
Rest in Peace, Elie.
The industry has lost a true ambassador and a legend. Elie has set the standard, always leading by example with the highest level of customer dedication. He was someone we all aspired to follow, a North Star.
Elie was for me a guide, a mentor and someone I could always turn to for advice and unwavering support during the toughest times.
Thank You Elie - for everything you’ve done, for the industry, for Jet Aviation, and for me personally. You will be deeply missed.
I still remember my first days as an intern at this wonderful company and the privilege of meeting Mr. Zelouf. He would walk through the office with an unmistakable presence—always smiling, always kind, and always taking the time to greet everyone.
I'm sure the views from the top are as magnificent as the path he walked to get there.
With respect and gratitude,
D.O.P.
Goodbye Ellie, now on your final journey.
A legend, always remembered and in our hearts.
I met you in 1989 for the first time while visiting your facility with my Ratioflug Learjet. Your way of embracing people has found no equivalent.
Neshama
What a great honor to have collaborated and interacted directly with Ellie, he was an example to all of us and one to be proud of. Ellie is part of Jet Aviation’s DNA, and although he is resting in peace, his legacy, impact and soul will live on within Jet Aviation and the industry alike. Goodbye (Ma’alsalamah, our usual goodbye in Arabic) Ellie!
I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of Elie Zelouf
I remember Elie Zelouf, with whom I worked in close partnership for 34 years, with deep gratitude. Elie always supported me, even after I took over his position as Vice President and General Manager 1999.
He was able to pass on his great passion and enthusiasm for aviation to his employees and to me.
I fondly remember the successful times we worked together: joint customer visits, delivering major projects on time, responding quickly to special customer requests, and much more.
My thoughts are with Marianne and her family
Rainer Albecker
I am very sorry. He was my best friend, my best teacher in my life. For me it’s a biggest lost, but hies name will stay with me in all my life.
Oh dear Elie, the humble father of business aviation embarked on his last flight. You will be missed by so many people, whom you touched and shaped during decades. Merci…Rest in Peace dear Elie…
Elie was the titan of our core business. During Aeroleasing time in Geneva, we were competitors but with great mutual respect. After the end of the company, he remained a sincere devoted and faithful friend helping me recover my mishaps. We re established our regular contact by developing the maintenance in Ukraine where Elie was praised for his professionalism and personal care , I never met a crew not satisfied or complaining, at the contrary.
When I lived in kiev in the 2000 he used to send regularly the médecine I needed with the crews from Switzerland .so many many souvenirs, it will be a whole chapter in my future book.
Elie , I will miss you and never forget our brotherly friendship
Elie Bazbaz
I am very sad about Elie passing away. I will always remember him as a person to look up, beeing always polite and delightful to meet him. Elie has been an institution the world will remember.
As his very first assistant for 14 years, I shall always cherish the memory of Elie Zelouf. He was an exceptional man by all standards, a PERSONALITY and he will, forever, remain a… Legend!
I would like to express my deepest condolences to his loved ones and my heartfelt sympathy to Jet Aviation management, to his current assistant (still, at 90 !) as well as to the whole staff. He largely contributed to making the company what it is today.
Keep on going, JA !
Rest in Peace now, Elie Zelouf !
Monique Vuillemin
My personal condolences and that of the entire Superior Jet Ops team goes to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Mr. Elie at Jet Aviation.
May his Soul Rest In Eternal Peace....
Thank you!
I met Elie the first time in 1994 for a F900B project at JAB. This AC is still flying as FGOFX…. It was a pleasure to work with Elie on many other projects later. I always will remember him.RIP.
ELIE can’t be replaced in Private Aviation. His dedication , unquestionable support and total understanding of the demands and importance of Pivare Aviation. He taught me a lot during my close association with him for over40 years as a customer and friend. Without any doubt, he will be missed by everyone in Private Aviation for ever
Prayers for His Soul to Rest In Peace 🪦
God bless 💐💐💐
Sincères condoléances à toute sa famille, qu’il repose en paix maintenant ..
Heureuse de l’avoir croisé.
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Elie Zelouf. At the beginning of my career, he was there and offered me valuable advice that I still carry with me today. I remain truly grateful for the support he gave me. My heartfelt thoughts go out to his family, loved ones, and to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
Lovely outstanding person and legend figure which nowadays are always more and more important than ever.
My thoughts are with his family, and his many friends across the world.
Big hugs.
Thanks for all M. Zelouf. May you rest in peace now 🙏
My sincere condoleances to your family and relatives.
So sad, I knew him well having started working with him in 1979 and from then a whirlwind of travel globally. RIP Elie
Elie - a wonderful person and a full blooded aviation legend who redefined customer service to its best sadly went off to his last journey. I am very happy to had the chance to work with and learn from him. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. I will miss you - rest in peace, Elie!
I had the chance to work close with Mr Zelouf for many years, it was taf some times but he new how to make us proud of what we did
The relation ship with him was really based on loyalty, and dedication we all learn a lot, it was an honor to serve under his commandments
Humbleness, loyalty, hardworker, dedication
Is what I will remember, I is a hard loss for all people who had he chance to work with him
All my thoughts to the family
Elie rest in peace
The best leader I have known, he taught me a lot during our 30 years of collaboration, I will miss him, RIP and condolences to the family.
Mr Zelouf departure to his final destination, leaves a massive emptiness in the Aviation Community.
We all Thank you for the opportunity of being part of the Jet Aviation Family, as per your vision and dedication strongly printed where ever we looked around us at Jet Aviation.
No doubt a Beacon across generations in the Aviation World and more specifically in the Business Aviation, for many decades.
Mr Zelouf, May your Soul rest in Peace and deepest condolences to the Family and close friends.
It was an honor to work under his leadership for many years in Basel at Jet Aviation and to meet him last year at EBACE.
He was the kind of leader who was both charismatic and professional, imbued with humility and kindness that one cannot forget.
At least I will never forget a still with me since more than 20 years the watch he gave me as present to celebrate a successful project with Dassault Aviation.
Thank you and fly in peace. ✈️
RIP. Elie was a gentleman. A very wise man who loved aviation and the people who he met in this business. He was totally dedicated to his customers and was one of a kind. He will be remembered fondly and missed by people from all parts of the World. May he rest in Peace. 🙏🙏🙏
RIP Elie
sincere condolences’
I had the privilege of working with Mr. Zelouf when I began at Jet Aviation in 2002. He embodied a rare blend of wisdom, humility, and warmth that left a lasting impression on everyone around him. I remember the conversations we had and the thoughtful guidance he offered me when I was Manager of Customer Support — advice that stayed with me long after. His unwavering dedication to excellence and his deeply human touch helped shape the culture of Jet Aviation in ways that will be felt for generations. My heartfelt condolences to his family and to all those who, like me, were fortunate to have crossed paths with him. May his memory continue to inspire us all.
As part of the Jet Aviation family for 14 years, I did not personally know Mr Zelouf, but I did know the quiet humble man that regularly walked through the Hangars with his hands behind his back. He would always quietly say hello to you and move on.I believe that Mr Zelouf knew who I was and all the details of the project I was working on. Mr Zelouf is an aviation legend and will be sadly missed by the Jet Aviation Family.
Great man to work for, he taught me some good lessons. He’s had a wonderful life.
My condolences to his family and friends.
He will certainly not be forgotten.
It is with a heavy heart that I’ve heard the news that a great leader, Elie Zelouf passed away on June 5, 2025.
He was one of the kindest, most successful and efficient leader in this world to get the aircraft maintenance and refurbishment job done in a perfect manner.
I thank God I got the chance to cooperate with him for about 7 years thus I feel lucky. As a customer I felt that my aircraft was in the best hands that I could imagine. That feeling was thanks to the General Manager of Basel; Elie Zelouf
In 2024, Elie was inducted as a European Living Legend of Aviation. Indeed, he had always been so throughout his business life. An anecdote: when I had decided to end my business aviation career to flying for Turkish Airlines, I sent him a letter and he sent me a letter wishing for the best. No emails those days..
May he Rest in Peace Eternally 💐🦅🍃
My thoughts are with his family, and his friends across the world’s aviation community.
Sincerely,
SAVAS ÜSKENT
Remarkable career, remarkable life, and true example to learn from. Rest in peace, legend 🙏🏼
RIP condolences to your family Mr zelouf. Thanks for alls.
Humble, dedicated, and passionate aviator, may your soul rest in Peace.🙏🙏
Today a great figure of our industry leaves us. Mr Elie was a guide and a reference for most of us.
He paved the way for several generations of aviation enthusiasts.
My deepest condolences to his family, to Jet Aviation teams and to his friends.
Aviation legend and gentleman, I was lucky to meet him as a customer, surreal moment walking past his photo on the wall then bumping in to him on the hangar floor,
May your soul rest in peace. Thank you for being one of the aviation legends known and admired by younger generations 🙏🏼
A very special person has embarked on the last journey. Elie’s kind smile and incredible memory for names always impressed me. His dedication to Jet Aviation, its customers and his interest in people was unmatched. It’s an honor to have known you.
My deepest condolences are with his family. Elie will live forever in our hearts and minds.
One of the Greatest in Aviation has embarked on his last journey. „Missing Man“, dear Elie.
Sincere condolences
It has been a privilege to work together on few deliveries, ups, downs, but always in great spirits, have a good last flight master
I am very sorry. He was a teacher in my life.
It is with a heavy heart that I mourn the loss of Elie Zelouf—a true gentleman, a guiding light, and someone I deeply looked up to. Though he is no longer with us, the memory of his character and the lessons he imparted will stay in my heart forever. May his soul rest in peace, 🙏
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Elie. He was a true legend in the world of business aviation, and I had the privilege of working alongside him for 15 remarkable years. Elie was not only an inspiring leader and a role model, but also a mentor whose wisdom and integrity left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
It was truly an honour to have shared part of my journey with him. His legacy will continue to inspire, and his absence will be deeply felt.
My heartfelt condolences go out to his family during this difficult time. May he rest in peace
Let’s take a heartfelt moment to remember Elie Zelouf — one of the first to walk through the doors of Jet Aviation. A man driven by passion, who started from nothing and built a legacy through hard work, humility, and dedication. Elie, you’ve inspired generations. Thank you for showing us what it means to love what you do. A true role model — we salute you.
The aviation industry has lost a distinguished man. My deepest sympathies to the family and friends around the world. Go well sir.
May you rest in peace sir 🖤
I had the absolute pleasure of meeting this honourable man for the first time in December last year as I was navigating my way into private aviation. He was very encouraging and kind enough to offer his support and experience in any way I saw fit. Well Ellie, I managed to enter the industry and is a shame I won’t get to tell you all about it in person some day.
My sincere condolences to the family. Élie was the soul of Jet Aviation. Let's keep this flame alive.
Dear Elie - What a man and what a lot I learnt from you. Always kind, always understanding, intolerant of nonsense and the most reliable gentleman in business aviation. I've still got my Jet Aviation watch that you kindly gave me when I took my first aeroplane to Basel and i still remember how special it felt. You had all of the time in the world for your customers and its a shame business aviation can't continue to learn from your quiet charm and kindness. A sad day for the industry indeed, but it was all the better for you being within it for so long.
All my thoughts are with for his family for this really sad news. A big respect for Mr Zelouf, with who I had big chance to work with, coming back from late flight test, he was always waiting for the team arrival, a short debrief, what to do on next days to solve some issues…
Passionate and deeply invested in Jet Aviation, a Legend of VIP aircraft is now flighting to the stars…
Rest in peace Elie.
He was one of the most inspiring and warm-hearted human beings and visionaries I’ve had the privilege to meet on my journey so far. Always there with a listening ear and countless captivating stories. His presence was a gift, and the conversations we shared will stay with me forever. Rest in peace, dear Elie — thank you for touching my life in such a meaningful way.
... il aura constamment contribué à favoriser le raisonnement dit "out of the box" face aux complexités qui lui étaient soumises. Repose en paix Elie, ton esprit sera et restera associé au nom de Jet Aviation.
...Elie consistently contributed to fostering "out-of-the-box" reasoning in face of the complexities presented to him. Rest in peace, Elie, your spirit will be and will remain associated with the name Jet Aviation.
…what a loss! For me personally, Elie was more than a friend, more than a father, a person so impressive and intelligent! More than a business colleague, more than a leading figure! Elie, thank you for letting me get to know you and work with you! Thank you for your openness and for shaping me! I will always hold you in my heart! Our last conversation was about the A380! Your Oliver with Nada
A great man and leading light in the industry. Will be missed by many many people.
I’m deeply saddened by the passing of Elie Zelouf. He was a true inspiration, not only to me but to so many in the VIP aviation industry. I had the privilege of learning from him — his wisdom, generosity, and integrity left a lasting mark. Elie was more than a mentor; he was someone you could always turn to. He will be profoundly missed. May he rest in peace.
The industry lost a legend of Aviation
My condolences to his family
We will miss him
That’s sad news to hear of the loss of Mr.Zelouf,a wonderful person with an amazing charismatic personality and reassuring presence,a sad loss for us all who work in Jet Aviation. ,my sincere condolences to Mr Zelouf’s family at this sad time.
I will never forgot you Elie, since I was in Dubai I have the pleasure to meet you every year for a couple of days and we always share story on our common customers !
Rest in peace Elie
Very sad to hear the news of the passing of a true gentleman. Remembering my time as a bizjet novice in Jet Aviation, Elie was happy to freely share his wisdom and knowledge with me and the other youngsters - I particularly remember a long drive with him in the car to Turin where I had the privilege to hear many of the now legendary stories from the horses mouth. You will be remembered fondly by so many in Jet and the whole industry, Elie!
My heartfelt condolences to Elie’s family and loved ones.
When I transitioned from the airline industry into business aviation in 2003, I had the privilege of meeting Elie. From that first encounter until the last time I saw him about one and a half year ago, I always experienced him as a charismatic, genuinely kind, and loyal person.
It was a true honour to have known him.
Best wishes,
Benedict Staehelin
Dear Jet Aviation team, my deepest condolences for Mr Zelouf passing aways. His nickname was 7/11 as he was in the office all the time always looking a way to help a customer. I had the chance to meet him in my 20+ years in aviation and he was always with a positive attitude and wanting to help. I always heard clients make positive remarks on him, stating he would be the first person coming to greet them when they landed. He will be missed. Once again my deepest condolences, Regards Giovanni Luciolli
