Business Airport International Q&A: Mike Mikolay

The founder & CEO of Mikolay Jet Group shares how a client-first, advisory-led approach is redefining jet sales

What was your career journey that led you to founding Mikolay Jet Group?

I spent over two decades with one of the top aviation brokerage firms in the country, where I helped build the business from the ground up. That experience gave me a front-row seat to the evolution of business aviation brokerage company, from transactional sales to a more strategic, relationship-driven model. Founding Mikolay Jet Group was the natural next step. I wanted to build something lean and independent, where every decision centers on the client’s long-term success rather than chasing listings or volume.

What aspects of your role do you enjoy the most, and which do you find most challenging?

The most rewarding part is being the trusted voice in the room, helping clients cut through the noise and make the right call, whether that’s purchasing a US$30 million jet or deciding not to move forward. I love the nuance, the strategy, and the relationships that span years. The challenge? This business doesn’t have an off switch. Aircraft markets move fast, and you’re often managing uncertainty across technical, financial, and emotional dimensions. But that’s also where the value of a true advisor comes in.

How does Mikolay Jet Group differentiate itself in a highly competitive market?

We don’t chase listings, we pursue alignment. The strategy starts before the search or sale. I act more like a fiduciary than a broker. That means I’m not trying to push inventory; I’m building a plan, vetting every angle, and protecting my client’s downside. Clients aren’t hiring me to buy or sell them a jet, they’re hiring me to help them make the right decisions with all their aviation needs.

What’s the most influential trend shaping aircraft brokerage currently?

Today’s clients want more than a transactional broker, they’re looking for an advisor who understands how to align mission, market, and timing in a complex acquisition or sale. There’s a shift toward true advisory. Buyers and sellers are asking harder questions about asset value, long-term costs, sustainability, and geopolitical exposure, whether that’s tariffs, regulatory changes, or cross-border complexity. That’s good news for those of us focused on diligence over deal-chasing.

What has been your most complex negotiation?

One that stands out involved a longtime client who owned a large-cabin aircraft. After years of conversations, I helped them see that the timing was right to sell based on where the market was and where it was headed. They trusted my guidance but wanted to push for a higher price, which ultimately caused the buyer to step away temporarily.

At that point, it wasn’t just about numbers, it was about navigating the emotions, re-aligning expectations, and protecting the relationship on both sides. In the end, we got the deal back on track and closed at terms that reflected real market value and served the client’s long-term interests. That deal reminded me that being an advisor isn’t just about knowing the market, it’s about guiding people through it.

How do you see Mikolay Jet Group evolving in the next five years?

I see us staying intentionally lean and focused. The goal isn’t to scale up, it’s to double down on what works — thoughtful advisory, personal attention, and long-term relationships built on trust. I’ll continue working with a select number of clients at a time so I can stay deeply involved and deliver the kind of clarity and value that gets lost in bigger operations. I’m not aiming to be the biggest firm in the sector, just the most trusted.

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This article originally appeared in Business Airport International.
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