AeroVanti Names Former Piaggio America Chief Executive Paolo Ferreri as Interim COO

The private aviation disruptor’s selection as chief operations officer positions AeroVanti for continued hyper-growth, as well as reaching significant financial milestones this year

SARASOTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AeroVanti Club, a high-growth startup that’s re-imagining private aviation, has selected an industry veteran to lead its operations, positioning AeroVanti for continued growth and expansion in the private aviation sector. Paolo Ferreri, who served as chief executive and chairman of Piaggio America Inc., joins AeroVanti as its interim COO, the company announced today.

Ferreri joins AeroVanti at a time of incredible momentum and record growth of more than 400% year-over-year. AeroVanti completed 6,000 flight hours last year and is on track to complete 12,000 flight hours this year, an unprecedented feat for a company less than two years old.

“When we launched AeroVanti, we set out to completely disrupt the private aviation model, proving that luxury travel can be delivered at a competitive price point and an incredible value,” said AeroVanti CEO Patrick Britton-Harr. “Not only have we delivered upon that, but we’re positioned to continue to scale in an unprecedented manner both operationally and financially, Paolo’s experience, along with his deep aviation insight and connections, makes him uniquely suited to help AeroVanti achieve that success from an operational perspective.”

Also in 2022, AeroVanti had multiple M&A events to support expansion, two historic fundraising rounds of more than $100 million (including a Series A), and exclusive partnerships with the University of Maryland, University of Central Florida, and the World Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. AeroVanti was recently named to the Baltimore Business Journal’s “top 10 startups to watch in 2023,” and the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “Top 23 Startups to Watch" lists.

“I’m thrilled to join the leadership team at AeroVanti,” said Ferreri. “My experience with Piaggio, an aviation pioneer in its own right, perfectly prepared me to lead AeroVanti’s operations during this exciting time in the company’s history.”

Before leading the American sector of Piaggio, Ferreri previously served as VP of customer support for parent company Piaggio Aerospace, maker of the storied Piaggio P.180 Avanti - the flagship plane of the AeroVanti fleet, known to many as the “Ferrari of the Skies” for its speed, efficiency, sleek appearance, and low carbon footprint.

About AeroVanti Club

AeroVanti Club is redefining luxury travel by air, land, and sea. AeroVanti Club offers its members exclusive private aviation and yachting experiences through a unique membership model that offers luxury, convenience, and value. AeroVanti Club’s air fleet, primarily made up of the sleek Piaggio P.180 Avanti, is faster, more fuel-efficient, and more comfortable than its competitors, while operating with the lowest carbon footprint in its class. AeroVanti Yacht Club features three of the most unique vessels on the sea: “Casino Royale,” a 108-foot Sunseeker Predator, “Permit,” a 50-foot Buddy Davis fishing boat, and “En Garde,” a 50-foot Cookson sailboat also raced by the AeroVanti Sailing Team. AeroVanti Club private flights operate under part 91F. To apply for membership or schedule your trip, please visit Aerovanti.com and AVYC.com.