Interview with Younes Ezzaki: How to Market Yourself as a Jet Broker
Apr 07, 20261. You’ve spent over 16 years in marketing. What initially drew you to the private aviation space, and what kept you here?
Before stepping into private aviation, I spent close to a decade in the jewelry space, specifically in gemstone sourcing, as well as in luxury real estate. That meant working directly with royals and Ultra High Net Worth Individuals, which teaches you very quickly what excellence actually looks like when it comes to service.
So moving into private jet charter wasn’t a leap, it was a continuation. The expectations are just as high, if not higher.
What really changed my perspective, though, was understanding that private aviation isn’t about luxury. It’s about time. Private jet clients aren’t paying for champagne and leather seats—they’re paying to compress time, to control their schedule, to eliminate friction.
That realization is what made the role of an aircraft broker so compelling to me.
And on a personal level, I’ve always been passionate about aviation. That started years ago with Flight Simulator 2004, so there’s always been that underlying interest in aircraft and the industry as a whole.
2. From a marketing perspective, what makes private aviation different from other industries?
It’s the speed and the pressure.
Private aviation is a 24/7 business, and private jet charter requests don’t wait. In our team, we operate with a strict standard, where every inquiry has to be answered within 120 seconds. That’s not an aspiration to me, it’s a baseline, and an indicator of a well oiled-machine.
The reason is simple. A private jet client is rarely speaking to just one aircraft broker. They’re usually comparing several options at the same time, and the broker who responds first often sets the tone for the entire deal.
And in some cases, it’s not even about comparison. You’re dealing with urgent situations such as medical flights, last-minute departures, or critical business travel. In those moments, responsiveness becomes part of the value you provide.
That level of immediacy is what defines the private jet charter business.
3. Why is marketing such a critical advantage for someone starting as a private jet broker?
Because in private aviation, your reputation is everything, and today, your reputation starts online.
As a private jet charter broker, you’re not just selling access to aircraft. You’re selling trust. And that trust is built through how you present yourself across every touchpoint, from your website to your social media to how visible you are in the market.
You simply cannot afford to be invisible. Not in an industry where clients are international, highly informed, and used to doing their due diligence.
What’s interesting is how much buying behavior has evolved. More and more people are now searching for private jet brokers through AI tools like ChatGPT, not just traditional search engines. The way clients discover and evaluate aircraft brokers is changing.
So if your digital presence isn’t strong, if you don’t show up with authority, you’re not even in the consideration set.
4. What are the biggest marketing mistakes you see new aircraft brokers make?
The first one is trying to manage a private jet charter business without proper systems. A lot of new brokers rely on Excel or scattered tools, and very quickly, everything becomes disorganized. Quotes are sent over WhatsApp, contracts exist in multiple versions, and there’s no clear tracking of client interactions.
In a business where timing and accuracy are critical, that’s a serious liability.
The second mistake is hesitation. Many new brokers are uncomfortable picking up the phone, so they rely on messages and wait for responses. In private aviation, that approach doesn’t work. The brokers who win are the ones who act fast and communicate directly.
And then there’s inconsistency. Some people put in the effort at the beginning, close a deal or two, and then slow down. That’s usually when they start losing ground. In the private jet charter world, consistency is what keeps your pipeline alive.
5. Many candidates feel they’re “not marketers.” How do you help them overcome that?
The good news is that marketing is mostly a skill, not a personality trait.
You can absolutely learn how to market yourself effectively as a private jet broker. What we focus on inside ABP is removing that uncertainty and replacing it with structure.
That includes helping candidates become comfortable with things like cold calling, which is still a very real part of the private aviation business. It also means helping them understand how to position their value properly, so they don’t feel pressured to discount or justify themselves constantly.
From there, we work on building a real presence, such as a goo social media profile that actually reflects credibility, a website that can generate private jet charter leads, and messaging that resonates with high-end clients. We also spend time on LinkedIn, which is a powerful platform for connecting with other brokers and industry players.
Over time, what initially feels uncomfortable becomes second nature.
6. What does the journey look like for a complete beginner entering private aviation?
In the beginning, most people feel stuck. They don’t know where to start, and that’s completely normal. It’s like looking at a blank canvas.
The first step is simply putting the foundations in place. That means creating a professional presence online, building out a website, and starting to position yourself as a private jet charter broker.
At that stage, a lot of people expect leads to come in naturally. They don’t.
The next phase is where things start to shift. You need to build authority. That means writing, sharing insights about private aviation, and demonstrating that you understand the industry. People need to trust that you know what you’re talking about before they reach out.
After that, it becomes about visibility and relationships. Attending air shows, meeting other brokers, connecting with operators, and this is where you start to show that you’re serious about your role in private aviation.
Later on, some brokers move into paid acquisition, like Google Ads for private jet charter. But that needs to be done carefully. Without the right expertise, it’s very easy to spend money without results.
Eventually, once deals start closing, referrals begin to play a bigger role. That’s when the business starts to compound.
7. How does ABP’s marketing training differ from other private aviation programs?
What makes ABP different is that it’s not built around one person’s perspective.
The program brings together professionals with decades of experience in private aviation, and each part of the training is handled by someone who specializes in that specific area. Marketing is taught by marketers, compliance by compliance experts, and so on.
There’s also a strong emphasis on sequence. First, you learn how to become a private jet broker. Then you learn how to become a successful one.
That second part is where marketing comes in. Understanding how to generate private jet charter leads, how to build a website that converts, how to establish a credible social presence, and how to use tools like Google Ads effectively.
And importantly, there’s real support. New brokers aren’t left on their own. There’s access to coaching, both in groups and individually, and even a dedicated hotline they can use when they need guidance on real-world situations.
8. What marketing strategies are actually working today for private jet brokers?
Social media is a major one, but it has to be done properly.
It’s not enough to post photos of private jets and expect results. Content needs to either inform, entertain, or ideally do both. That’s how you capture attention and build credibility at the same time.
LinkedIn is equally important, especially for networking within the private aviation space. A lot of opportunities come from relationships with other brokers, operators, and industry professionals.
Partnerships also play a key role. Working with concierge services, lifestyle managers, and personal assistants can open doors to high-quality private jet clients.
And sometimes, it’s the simplest things that people overlook. Something as basic as having business cards ready can make a difference. You’d be surprised how many brokers delay that and miss opportunities because of it.
9. Beyond skills, what separates those who succeed from those who struggle?
It comes down to mindset and discipline.
The brokers who succeed are consistent, relentless, and have the stamina to operate in a demanding environment. They don’t cut corners when it comes to organization. Their CRM is always up to date, which allows them to stay on top of every private jet charter opportunity.
They’re also fast. They respond quickly, follow up properly, and don’t let opportunities slip through.
Another factor that often gets overlooked is financial discipline. In the private jet charter business, commissions can be significant, but that doesn’t mean the money is immediately yours to spend. Taxes need to be planned for, and managing cash flow properly is part of being a professional (Read: How much, and how do jet charter brokers earn money?)
On the other hand, those who struggle often treat this like a side project. They assume that having a social media account with a few private jet photos is enough to generate business. It’s not.
10. For someone considering ABP but still on the fence, what would you tell them?
Marketing is your first impression in private aviation.
Before a client speaks to you, before they trust you with a private jet charter, they will look you up. What they find will determine whether you even get a chance.
So the question isn’t whether marketing matters, it’s whether you’re doing it right.
Because in this industry, that first impression can make or break the deal.