MEBA10: Ibex launches block charter service at MEBA

It is a tough job but Awaida is an industry stalwart, who has earned a great deal of respect in the region thanks to 40 years of work in the sector, including founding Lebanon’s Executive Air Services and running Clear Sky Aviation.

 

Along with Ahmed Al Haj, Ibex’s chief executive, he is targeting corporations and already has a customer in Riyadh, which wants to buy 100 hours, and another in the UAE, which is considering a 300-hour annual purchase.

 

He said: “You need to sell 500-600 hours per year to turn a profit and I have already sold 400 hours. In the last 10 days we have flown 30 hours.”

 

To date Ibex has a Bombardier Challenger 850 under management with a Challenger 604 and a Hawker 800 due to come on line at the end of the month. The company is planning to acquire longer-range aircraft to serve the North American market and is shopping at the show, talking to some of the brokers here. It is also planning to set up a new operation in Africa offering medevac services between the Congo and Paris.

 

Awaida (pictured) said: “We are also looking for a Challenger 601 at the right price and are speaking with people during MEBA about it.”