24 Brilliant Aviation Business Ideas You Can Start Today
Looking to start an aviation business but not quite sure what to start?
The good news is, that there are so many opportunities to become an entrepreneur and build an innovative product/service in this line of work.
If you're looking to start your own aviation business, there are several amazing options you can choose from.
We put a list together below of the most profitable aviation business ideas you can start today!
Here they are:
1. Start an aerial imagery business ($1M/month)
My name is Robert Morris. I founded TerrAvion in 2013 together with Cornell Wright.
We view our job as abstracting away all the complexity and delivering maps that are ready to use so that growers can spend more time applying their expertise, more powerfully, and over a larger area. Below is a screenshot of our interface with fields shown in our vigor image data layers.
2. Start a flight tours business ($759K/month)
A flight tour business takes people on short flights to experience an aerial view. If you are into airplanes and love taking different people on tours, the flight tour business is a more expensive service that targets adventurous clients.
While starting a flight tour business may sound overwhelming, doing scenic tours the right way can be rewarding. Cover locations of interest worth seeing from the air and target affluent travelers. To market your business, take a couple of pictures covering different scenes to entice the target customers and make them want to experience the tours.
If you have ever met me (which is pretty unlikely), then you probably learned relatively quickly that I’m really into airplanes. And by ‘really’ I mean borderline obsessed. My name is Corey Rust, and I own the Troutdale, Oregon based air tour business Envi Adventures.
Now, our best month was over $30,000 in revenue, and that is only in our second year. For a dumb guy like me, it makes me happy to know that I’m providing a service that people from all over the world are interested in. Not only that, but we have been able to generate a brand that people are beginning to recognize and connect with on a different level. Personally, I think that’s the most exciting part.
3. Start an aviation gear store ($34.5K/month)
Hi, my name is David Lombardo and I am one of the founding members of a website called ATC Memes.
Over the years, the concept evolved into an online store called RadarContact.com, where we sell many unique and niche types of merchandise catering to those who are involved with or have an interest in the aviation industry.
4. Start a recruiting agency ($270K/month)
The global online recruitment market size was $29B in 2019 and is projected to reach $43B by 2027.
The best way to assess the success of a Recruiting Agency is to review what their clients say about them, and the results which are achieved for those clients.
As a recruiter, you dream of landing your first client, but once you do, you realize it's only the start of what you hope will be a successful business. Have you ever wondered how to start a recruiting agency business? There's so much you can learn from books, but nothing beats getting real-world experience.
My name is Sharon Koifman, and I am the president of DistantJob. DistantJob is a unique recruitment agency that specializes in finding remote employees. That means we go all over the world to find outstanding talent who works remotely for our clients.
Our unique approach and model, combined with a commitment to great customer support, has done well for us: we have 3 million dollars in revenue.
5. Start a ticketing platform business ($125K/month)
My name is Lars Helgeson and I am the founder of GreenRope, a CRM and marketing automation platform. Our company started in 2000 as an email marketing SaaS and in 2008 decided to focus on the challenges that businesses face in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
GreenRope has over 1,000 customers in over 20 countries, ranging from startups to universities and municipalities.
6. Start a travel agency ($138K/month)
Are you a passionate traveler with entrepreneurial skills? Then starting a travel agency can be a great career choice for you.
As a travel agency, you'll be responsible for linking travelers to providers of all the travel and tourism-related services such as accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, tour guides, local adventure, etc.
Starting an online travel agency is a lot easier than you might think. You'll need to perform market research, get a few necessary certifications (such as your IATA number), study competition, build a website, and do proper marketing.
To maximize earnings, negotiate discounts from the industry service providers, and charge travellers within the market rate
Hey! My name is Marissa Daniels, and I am a millennial travel agent! I began Spread Your Wings Travel in February of 2019. Prior to 2019, I wanted an extra source of income just to have an extra cushion. I did mystery shopping, took surveys online, drove for Postmates and DoorDash, worked at a grocery store, anything I could find for extra money. I also did, and still do Brand Ambassador events as well- but those things didn’t fulfill me. I was doing them to get extra money, but it didn’t have a purpose and it wasn’t paying me as much as I wanted, so I stopped it all and just gave it to God. I let Him handle it.
Spread Your Wings Travel offers all-inclusive vacations (most under $1000 per person), cruises, luxury villas, cabins, domestic travel and more! The main thing that people like about my business is that I have a payment plan option. I like to have that option for them because not everyone is able to pay for a vacation upfront.
7. Start a blog ($16.7K/month)
In recent years, blogging has become a highly sought-after & lucrative Business. This is location-independent business is a creative outlet to reach a broader audience and even work at any time. According to Optinmonster's list of blogging statistics and facts:
- Blogs have been rated as the 5th most trustworthy source of gathering online information.
- 77% of internet users read blogs.
- Each month, approximately 409 million people view more than 20 billion pages.
Originally blogging started as an online journal, but today it is a highly profitable career option. Many people are choosing blogging as their full-time career and are earning their bread and butter from this profession.
If you want to start blogging as a side hustle or as a full-time profession, first choose a niche you will enjoy writing about and have a content strategy ready. Then, create a mailing list, and decide on a good blog posting routine to keep your audience engaged.
Hello! My name is Michelle Schroeder-Gardner, and I run Making Sense of Cents, a personal finance and lifestyle website that helps readers earn more, save more, and live more.
I earn around $100,000 a month from Making Sense of Cents and have made over $5,000,000 from it over the years. Much of it is profit, as my expenses are extremely low. I am the only full-time employee of my business, but I do outsource some work. I have a virtual assistant, an editor, and a technical manager.
8. Start a data analysis service
A data analysis service is a great way to help businesses make sense of their data. This type of service can be used to provide insights into customer behavior, improve marketing campaigns, or simply help businesses make better decisions.
If you're interested in starting up a data analysis service, You will need knowledge in data analysis and the ability to communicate effectively with clients so they can benefit from what insights have been found by analyzing their information properly - this way it's not just about making money but also helping others!
iTechArt is a leading custom software development company that helps both startups and enterprises streamline their analytics process. They also generated revenue of $209 billion in 2019, while creating more than a million jobs over the past three years.
Starting a data analysis service is a perfect business idea for those with analytical skills and a desire to help businesses to make better use of their data. This business is in high demand and can be very profitable, with data analysts earning high salaries.
My name is Chelsea Rhoads and I am the CEO/Co-Founder of pup-eeze, the smartest device on four legs. pup-eeze is a wellness tracker for dogs that tracks activity, monitors location and automates our dog’s lives by connecting them with hundreds of smart home devices giving ourselves and our dogs the ability to monitor, maintain and change the environment of the home if we’re concerned about separation anxiety or well-being.
We’ve had great success speaking with and testing the wellness tracker among those who love their dogs and love technology. We thought, “we bring our dogs on every other journey with us, why not include them in the technology journey as well?” With the overwhelming support from the technology community we were able to strategically partner with an emerging leader in the IoT enterprise solution field; Fathym.
9. Start a laundry business
Hello! My name is Nishant Tripathi, and I founded Dhobilite, a premium online dry cleaning, and laundry service. I started this company in 2011 with a vision to pioneer laundry service in India.
We started operations in the year 2011. Over the years, we experimented with and developed our business model and software. In 2015, we disrupted the laundry market and became India's first app-based, on-demand laundry service provider. We have expanded into more than 15 cities in the last two years and have around 20+ stores today. In addition, we have 30 plus franchises. We also have factories in Gurgaon, Noida, Lucknow, Hyderabad, and Faridabad.
10. Start a cheap flights finding service business ($10/month)
Hi! My name is Ju Li and I am a co-founder of GetBuyLo.com. We’ve built a browser extension that’s like Honey but specifically tailored for flights. Basically, when you are at checkout on a supported flight booking site, it will automatically pop up and scan other flight booking sites for a lower price on the same flight.
We are not profitable at the moment as we launched during the COVID pandemic but early users are loving it. We’ve been featured in YCombinator’s Startup School newsletter and the front page of multiple subreddits.
11. Sell aircraft spare parts
Aircraft spare parts businesses supply aircraft builders, owners, pilots, and aviation businesses parts such as batteries, Aural warning module assy, brake Assy, constant speed drive and many others.
With the demand for aircraft parts projected to reach over USD 47.33 billion in the next few years, starting an aircraft spare parts business can be profitable.
Before you start an aircraft parts and equipment business, research and understand the heavy federal oversight and regulation involved to ensure aircraft remain airworthy. In addition, research the competition so you understand the landscape fully and define where your market fits in.
Your success odds may improve substantially when you franchise and leverage a successful brand through either a franchise or turning your competitors into collaborators.
More business ideas
- 12. Start an aviation tv program
- 13. Start an aviation cleaning service
14. Start a waste disposal business
Brian Scudamore is the founder and CEO of 1-800-GOT-JUNK - an international junk removal franchise based in Canada.
Brian grew the business to $37M/month, initially driving around looking for piles of junk or simply knocking on doors and asking the owners if they needed anything taken away for a fee.
This company offers a franchise-based, full-service junk removal business devoted to assisting clients in recovering lost space in their residences and places of business.
They collect all types of trash, including clothing, household items like furniture and electronics, and junk from renovation projects. Additionally, they help those in need by donating any possible items to charity.
Read the full story on sidehustlenation.com ➜
15. Start an aviation maintenance and repair business
Mid-sized airlines are outsourcing repairs and routine maintenance services to specialty shops, a trend set to increase rapidly. Thus, starting an airline repair and maintenance service can be rewarding if you are an aviation engineer or are interested in the business. Services of an airline repair company include inspection, general maintenance, and repair to ensure the aircraft is operational and safe.
To start an airplane repair and maintenance business, you may target private or commercial airlines looking to outsource the repair and maintenance service. If you do not have the necessary skills, you may employ skilled and experienced aeronautical engineers, look for customers, and focus on growing your business.
16. Start an air cargo business
There is a high demand for air cargo services, but according to IATA, the capacity is constrained. The reason being there aren’t enough airplanes to meet the demand for air cargo transportation.
Therefore, starting your air cargo transportation business is a viable idea. You will need freight-forwarding skills and acquire the necessary licenses and certification, among other requirements to offer the service.
How to start an aviation business?
There are many people who dream of owning their own aviation business. However, it takes more than just a love of flying to be successful in this industry. Running a successful aviation business requires careful planning, a strong understanding of the market, and a passion for customer service. Here are a few tips to help you get started on the right foot.
First and foremost, you need to have a clear idea of what services you want to offer and who your target market is. Are you planning to provide charter services, flight training, or aircraft maintenance? Once you know what services you want to offer, you can start developing a business plan. This should include an overview of your financial goals, marketing strategy, and operations plan.
Next, you need to obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to obtain a commercial pilot license, an air operator certificate, or both. The process for obtaining these licenses can be complex, so it's important to do your research and understand all the requirements before you get started.
Finally, make sure you have the financial resources in place to support your new business. Aviation businesses can be capital-intensive, so you'll need to have access to significant financial resources. If you don't have the necessary funds on hand, you may need to seek out investors or take out loans. With careful planning and execution, starting an aviation business can be a rewarding experience.
Can you make money owning a plane?
While owning a plane may seem like a luxury, it can actually be quite a practical investment. Not only can you use it for business or personal travel, but you can also rent it out to generate income.
Of course, there are initial costs associated with purchasing and maintaining a plane, but if you own your own aircraft, you'll have the freedom to choose your own flight schedule and destinations. In addition, you'll save money on expensive commercial airline tickets.
If you're interested in exploring the world of private air travel, financial considerations should not be your primary concern. With careful planning and a bit of research, owning a plane can be a profitable endeavor.
What is the best career in aviation?
There are a variety of careers in aviation, each with its own unique set of benefits. For some, the appeal lies in the excitement and adventure of travel; for others, it is the chance to work with cutting-edge technology.
But what is the best career in aviation? That depends on what you are looking for. If you want a stable job with good pay and benefits, then a career as an air traffic controller or airline pilot may be the best choice. If you are more interested in working on the maintenance and upkeep of aircraft, then a career as an aircraft mechanic could be a good fit.
Ultimately, the best career in aviation is the one that best suits your skills and interests. So take some time to explore all of the options before making your decision.
17. Become an aviation fuel supplier
Aviation fuel is the fourth most commonly used petroleum product in the United States.
The country's aviation fuel demand will continue to rise as more jets and airplanes are registered.
As a result, aviation fuel supplies might prove profitable.
More business ideas
- 18. Start an aviation catering service
- 19. Start an aviation consulting business
- 20. Start an aviation magazine business
- 21. Start an aviation software development business
- 22. Start an aviation branding business
- 23. Start an aviation training school business
- 24. Start an airplane washing services business
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