Private Aviation
Atlantic Aviation PDX, Hillsboro, Aurora State, FBO Comparison.
Three fixed-base operators cover private aviation across the Portland metro, and they are not interchangeable. Atlantic Aviation at PDX is the long-runway anchor for heavy iron; Hillsboro Aviation at HIO is the west-side field built around the tech corridor; Aurora Aviation at KUAO sits south of the city for lighter aircraft. Each fits a different jet, sits a different distance from downtown, and runs a different ramp rhythm. Below is the side-by-side, what each field does well, where your chauffeur stages, and which one matches your flight department's mission.
ByIlyas KhairiFounder, Marquee ChauffeurLicensed and permitted since 2018
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By Ilyas Khairi, Founder of Marquee Chauffeur · Licensed and permitted since 2018 · Updated August 2, 2026
TL;DR
Land heavy or midsize jets at Atlantic Aviation PDX (11,000-ft runway, ~12 miles from downtown). Light and midsize jets fit Hillsboro Aviation HIO (6,600 ft, ~17 miles, west-side tech corridor). Light jets, turboprops, and pistons fit Aurora State KUAO (5,000 ft, ~25 miles south). Marquee stages a chauffeur on the ramp at all three for the same fleet rate, only the drive distance changes the total.
For field-specific ramp procedure, see Atlantic Aviation PDX, Hillsboro Aviation, and Aurora Aviation.
01Field-By-Field Overview
Three Fields,
Three Different Missions.
Atlantic Aviation PDX (KPDX) is the metro's heavy-lift option. Its 11,000-foot runway 10R/28L takes any business-jet category, from a light Citation up through a Gulfstream G650 or Global 7500, which is why charter operators and corporate flight departments running transcontinental and international legs default here. The FBO sits on the south side of the field, roughly 12 miles and 20 minutes from downtown via I-205 or I-84, and Portland International is operated by the Port of Portland. If the trip pairs a private arrival with a same-day commercial connection, PDX is the only field that keeps both under one airport.
Hillsboro Aviation (KHIO) is the west-side workhorse. The 6,600-foot runway comfortably handles light and midsize jets, Phenoms, Citations, Learjets, the midsize Hawker and Challenger 300 class, and the field sits in the heart of the Silicon Forest, minutes from the Intel, Nike, and Genentech campuses. That location is the whole point: for a flight department whose principals are headed to a Hillsboro or Beaverton meeting rather than downtown, HIO removes the cross-town drive entirely. The FBO entrance is off NE 25th Avenue, roughly 17 miles and 25 to 35 minutes from downtown via US-26 depending on the Sunset Highway rush. Like PDX, HIO is a Port of Portland airport.
Aurora State Airport (KUAO) is the south-metro general-aviation field. Its 5,000-foot runway suits light jets, turboprops, and piston aircraft, and the field is owned by the Oregon Department of Aviation. Aurora is the natural choice for trips oriented toward the southern suburbs, Salem, or Willamette Valley wine country, sitting roughly 25 miles and 30 to 40 minutes south of downtown via I-5. It trades runway length and heavy-jet capability for a quieter, faster ramp and a position that shortens the drive to anything south of the city.
The short version: pick the field by aircraft category first and destination second. A heavy jet has to go to PDX. A light or midsize jet headed for the west side belongs at Hillsboro. A light jet or turboprop headed south belongs at Aurora. The comparison table below lays the three side by side on the variables that actually drive the decision.
| FBO / Airport | Runway | Best aircraft fit | From downtown | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic Aviation, PDX (KPDX) | 11,000 ft | Midsize & heavy jets | ~12 mi / 20 min | Port of Portland |
| Hillsboro Aviation, HIO (KHIO) | 6,600 ft | Light & midsize jets | ~17 mi / 25-35 min | Port of Portland |
| Aurora Aviation, Aurora State (KUAO) | 5,000 ft | Light jets, turboprops, pistons | ~25 mi / 30-40 min | Oregon Dept. of Aviation |
Distances and times are from downtown Portland and vary with rush hour; dispatch adds a 10-to-15-minute buffer for HIO and Aurora rush-hour pickups.
02Chauffeur Ramp Procedure
How A Marquee Pickup
Runs At Each FBO.
The ramp pickup follows the same spine at all three fields, with field-specific access points. It starts at booking, when the tail number, operator, and scheduled arrival go onto the assignment and dispatch opens coordination with the FBO line crew. The chauffeur is briefed on the staging zone and the gate before leaving the yard, so there is no improvising at the fence line. The principal never badges in or out, the FBO lounge and ramp are part of the private-aviation experience, and the handoff happens cleanly between the line crew and the chauffeur at the aircraft door. The full booking sequence sits on the FBO chauffeur service overview.
At Atlantic Aviation PDX, the chauffeur stages at the FBO ramp on the south side of the field and clears the FBO security gate after the line crew confirms the tail number. Because PDX also runs the region's commercial traffic, dispatch builds in margin for the landside drive around the terminal loop, and a trip that mixes a private arrival with a commercial connection is coordinated on a single assignment. Door-by-door commercial logistics, if the itinerary needs them, are on the Atlantic Aviation PDX guide.
At Hillsboro Aviation, the chauffeur stages at the HIO FBO entrance off NE 25th Avenue, a faster and quieter approach than PDX with no commercial-terminal loop to navigate. Dispatch adds a 10-to-15-minute buffer for the US-26 Sunset Highway rush when the inbound lands in the morning or evening peak, since that corridor is the one variable between downtown and the west-side field. For principals continuing to a Hillsboro or Beaverton campus, the chauffeur often has the destination loaded before the aircraft is on the ground. The field-specific detail is on the Hillsboro Aviation guide.
At Aurora Aviation, the chauffeur stages at the FBO ramp accessed through the Airport Way entrance. Aurora's lighter traffic usually means the quickest ramp-to-cabin handoff of the three, and the southern position shortens any onward drive to Salem, the southern suburbs, or wine country. The trade-off is the longer run from downtown, roughly 30 to 40 minutes south on I-5, which dispatch accounts for in the pickup timing. The field-specific walkthrough is on the Aurora Aviation guide.
On pricing, the field does not change the rate. The Volvo S90 holds at $110 per hour, the Cadillac Escalade ESV at $135, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at $165 at every FBO; only the drive distance moves the total, so an Aurora pickup runs a little longer than the same job at PDX purely on mileage. Every ramp pickup carries the standard chauffeur-side standards, a 35-point pre-trip inspection, fully employed and background-checked drivers, Portland private-for-hire permitting, and $1 million in commercial liability coverage on every trip.
“They really are like a chauffeur and concierge, not just taking you from one place to another but providing a full experience.”
Frequently Asked
Questions, Answered.
Which Portland FBO is the best fit for a midsize jet?
Atlantic Aviation PDX at Portland International is the standard for midsize and heavy jets because the 11,000-foot runway 10R/28L accommodates any business jet category. Hillsboro Aviation at HIO handles light and midsize jets cleanly with its 6,600-foot runway. Aurora State Airport runs a 5,000-foot runway and is the right fit for light jets, turboprops, and piston aircraft.
Where should a Marquee chauffeur stage for a private jet pickup?
Atlantic Aviation PDX pickups stage at the FBO ramp on the south side of the field, with the chauffeur cleared through the FBO security gate after tail-number confirmation. Hillsboro Aviation pickups stage at the HIO FBO entrance off NE 25th Avenue. Aurora pickups stage at the Aurora Aviation FBO ramp accessed through the Airport Way entrance. Each FBO has its own protocol; dispatch coordinates with the FBO line crew before the chauffeur arrives.
How far is each Portland FBO from downtown Portland?
Atlantic Aviation PDX is roughly 12 miles and 20 minutes from downtown via I-205 or I-84. Hillsboro Aviation HIO is roughly 17 miles and 25 to 35 minutes from downtown via US-26 depending on rush hour. Aurora State Airport is roughly 25 miles and 30 to 40 minutes south of downtown via I-5. Marquee dispatch advises adding 10 to 15 minutes of buffer for rush-hour pickups at HIO and Aurora.
Do your chauffeurs need separate badging at each FBO?
Marquee chauffeurs hold standing access at Atlantic Aviation PDX, Hillsboro Aviation, and Aurora Aviation through the dispatch coordination process. The chauffeur arrives, confirms the tail number with the FBO line crew, and stages in the assigned FBO ramp pickup zone. No separate guest badging is required for the passenger, the FBO lounge and ramp are part of the private aviation experience and the handoff happens cleanly between the FBO line crew and the chauffeur at the aircraft door.
Is the chauffeur rate different at each FBO?
No. Marquee fleet pricing holds at every Portland FBO, the Volvo S90 at $110 per hour, the Cadillac Escalade ESV at $135, and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter at $165. The drive distance from downtown to each FBO is the variable that affects total cost, not the FBO itself. A Volvo S90 pickup at Aurora typically runs slightly longer total time than the same pickup at Atlantic Aviation PDX simply because of the extra drive south on I-5.
How far in advance should a Portland FBO pickup be arranged?
Twenty-four to 48 hours is the comfortable window at all three fields, since the tail number, operator, and scheduled arrival go onto the assignment at booking and dispatch opens coordination with the FBO line crew before the chauffeur leaves the yard. Holiday stretches and event weekends reward more notice. Same-day ramp pickups run through (503) 706-8662 and work when a vehicle is open, at Atlantic Aviation PDX, Hillsboro, or Aurora alike.
About the Author
Ilyas Khairi is the founder of Marquee Chauffeur, a Portland luxury black car and chauffeur service operating under Portland Bureau of Transportation certification since 2018 with $1 million in commercial liability coverage. He and his team of fully employed, background-checked chauffeurs coordinate private-jet ramp pickups across Atlantic Aviation PDX, Hillsboro Aviation, and Aurora State Airport described in this comparison.
Reserve Your Chauffeur
Reserve a Portland
Chauffeur Now.
Coordinate your Portland FBO chauffeur pickup. Call Marquee Chauffeur at (503) 706-8662, available 24/7. Atlantic Aviation PDX, Hillsboro Aviation, and Aurora State Airport all covered under standing dispatch protocols with fully employed chauffeurs on payroll, 35-point inspections, Portland private-for-hire permitting, and $1 million commercial liability coverage on every ramp pickup.