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