Business taking off for Mountain Aviation

BROOMFIELD — As the local economy continues to take flight, the area’s private aviation industry does likewise, with one Front Range company’s charter service soaring.

Mountain Aviation Inc. logged 5,500 flight hours last year during 1,300 different flights. Its charter business increased by nearly 12 percent, said Rich Bjelkevig, the company’s founder and president.

“Our core business is operating an aircraft on behalf of an owner or chartering flights,” said Julian Tonsmeire, a member of the business development team at Mountain Aviation, which delivers private aircraft services to travelers across the region.

The company operates 20 jet aircraft, each privately owned by individuals…