Ocean Aviation breaks ground on flagship campus

Ocean Aviation, backed by Kennedy Lewis Investment Management, recently broke ground on a new private aviation campus at Miami Executive Airport (TMB). The development represents a $67 million capital commitment, which will establish a state-of-the-art facility designed to accommodate up to 400,000 square feet of hangar space across communal and private configurations, a premium terminal, and a fuel farm. Ocean Aviation was established in 2024 with the execution of a 40-year, 40-acre ground lease at Miami Executive Airport, positioning the company to develop one of the most significant new fixed-base operator (FBO) facilities in the southeastern United States. Ocean Aviation has since expanded its South Florida footprint with the September 2026 acquisition of National Jets at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), a Fort Lauderdale FBO with more than 60 years of history. National Jets will continue to operate under its established name, and together, TMB and FLL form a dual-airport network serving the Miami–Fort Lauderdale metro. “Ocean Aviation is an incredible vision becoming reality today,” said Romain Grosjean, Executive Chairman, Ocean Aviation. “Through my career in Formula 1 and Indycar, I’ve had the chance to work with some of the most brilliant people, and what I’ve learned is that every detail matters, even the smallest ones.  This is our philosophy and why we want to set new standards for private aviation through exceptional service, thoughtful design, and operational excellence. Breaking ground at Miami Executive Airport is a defining milestone for our company — it allows us to create a flagship aviation campus built around the needs of aircraft owners, operators, and flight departments, and to set a new standard for the FBO experience in South Florida.” The development serves the growing base of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, corporate flight departments, and international private aviation operators across the Miami metro, one of the most supply-constrained and fastest-growing private aviation markets in the United States. “Today’s groundbreaking reflects our continued conviction in the South Florida market and our commitment to building a world-class FBO platform,” said David Chene, Managing Partner, Kennedy Lewis Investment Management. “Durable demand across the region, a 40-year ground lease here at Miami Executive, and the airport’s growing role as a general aviation port of entry make this a cornerstone asset for the Ocean Aviation platform. With a team on the ground in Miami and a platform that now includes National Jets in Fort Lauderdale, we’re proud to partner with Miami-Dade County in building infrastructure that will drive jobs and economic growth across South Florida for decades to come.” The new development will include a fuel farm, a state-of-the-art FBO, communal and private aircraft hangars, and the relocation of the Wings Over Miami Air Museum. The project also includes a 32,000-square-foot common-use taxi lane and common-use ramp serving U.S. Customs and Border Protection, creating infrastructure designed to support more efficient aircraft movements and international general aviation operations. At the center of the development will be Ocean Aviation’s new FBO, envisioned as a modern gateway for private, corporate, and general aviation customers using Miami Executive Airport. The facility will be complemented by communal and private hangar space, providing additional aircraft storage and operational capacity. Together, these improvements represent a substantial modernisation of both the airside and landside environment at the airport. A significant community component of the development will be the relocation of the Wings Over Miami Air Museum to a new home at Miami Executive Airport. The museum preserves and displays historic aircraft and aviation artifacts while supporting aviation education and maintaining an important connection to South Florida’s aviation history. The project will be delivered through a design-build model led by Lemartec, with Schenkel Shultz serving as the design partner. The integrated delivery approach brings together aviation planning, design and construction expertise to develop a cohesive facility capable of supporting the specialised operational requirements of a modern FBO and aviation development. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]