Costco Wholesale lands in Michigan as gas sales break records

Costco Wholesale flew from Gratiot Community Airport in Alma, Michigan, to a nearby landing on June 11, 2026, a 28-minute hop in a Gulfstream G280. The brief trip comes during a period of heavy regional activity for the Issaquah-based retailer, whose fleet has been crisscrossing the Midwest over the past three days.

Costco Wholesale landed in central Michigan the same week CEO Ron Vachris and CFO Gary Millerchip discussed a blockbuster fiscal third quarter, per a company earnings release. Record fuel volumes — the final five weeks of the quarter were the company's top five ever, according to the call — drove member traffic and helped push net sales up 11.6% to $69.15 billion. The company also confirmed it has begun submitting tariff refund claims through Customs and Border Protection, per a report from Digital Commerce 360, with plans to return that money to members.

For a retailer known for its flat corporate structure and frugal fleet — Costco Wholesale operates four Gulfstream jets out of Boeing Field — this Michigan swing fits a pattern of quiet regional oversight. The G280's preceding legs included stops near Chicago and southwest Michigan, suggesting site visits or warehouse reviews in the heart of Costco Wholesale's U.S. network.