Gama receives two Challengers as it awaits AOC from GCAA

The UK headquartered company signed the deals for two aircraft - a Bombardier Challenger 605 and a Challenger 850 – at the Dubai Air Show last month. Both aircraft were already based in the emirate and have now been handed over to Gama.

The company already operates a Challenger 604 from Sharjah and had pledged an expansion strategy when it launched itself to the Middle East market at the MEBA show back in December 2008. The company has said it is initially focusing on providing aircraft management and charter services before expanding significantly throughout the region into other aviation areas.

Dave Edwards, the Group’s General Manager, who has been heading the development in the region commented: “We’re absolutely delighted to be increasing our regional fleet with the addition of these two aircraft in Dubai, which cements our launch into the market here. For the past twelve months we’ve been steadily building the business and finalising plans for our FBO and hangar development at Sharjah International Airport, so to add two aircraft to our startup fleet before our AOC is awarded is an incredibly positive leap forward in our plans.

“Global recessions have always tended to bring out the best in businesses, and in our industry it’s no exception – the experience, 26 year history and international coverage we have as a group are virtually unrivalled in the modern market, certainly limiting it to only a very small handful of business aviation providers and we’re using all of those skills to bring new, focussed aircraft management and charter services to the region. We’re confident that the unique strengths we have both as a team and a group will be very beneficial for both aircraft owners and charter clients alike.”

Marwan Abdel Khalek, the Group’s CEO, who founded the company in 1983, added: “The Middle East region has always been of central importance to us, whether as a provider of customers as we’ve grown our business, or as a very popular destination for our European and American fleets, so the development here is a natural progression for the group. Whilst we’re new to the region as a based operator, we’re certainly not new to the market and we’re keen to bring the exceptionally high standards we’re known for worldwide throughout all of our operating businesses to Gama Aviation FZC.

"We’ve been able to grow our team in the region logically and by targeting exactly the right people we know who focus on the same ideals that we’ve have as a group – it provides the comfort and service that our customers demand. I’m delighted by the expansion and the opportunities it gives us to show our customers precisely the benefits Gama brings.”