Wheels Up Experience has appointed George N. Mattson as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), as the company charts its future as a leader in private jet travel. Mattson brings 25 years of aviation experience to the role, as a strategic advisor, financier, business owner/operator and director.
Mattson is a longstanding member of Delta’s Board of Directors and previously served as a partner and co-head of the Global Industrials Group in Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs & Co. from 2002 to 2012, during which time his responsibilities included oversight of the Transportation and Airline practices. Since 2014, he has been the lead investor and Chairman of Tropic Ocean Airways, the nation’s second-largest operator of seaplanes. Tropic Ocean Airways is a Wheels Up partner.
Mattson will be based in Atlanta, home to the recently opened Wheels Up state-of-the-art Member Operations Centre, which centralises all of the company’s operational functions. Mattson’s first official day is expected to be in early October.
Wheels Up previously announced a non-binding agreement in principle for an up to US$500 million (£400 million) facility, which is expected to include funds contributed by Delta Air Lines, CK Opportunities Fund I, LP, which is co-managed by affiliates of Certares Management LLC and Knighthead Capital Management LLC, and certain other lenders. The transaction is subject to completing definitive documentation, as well as customary closing conditions and other approvals.
