Middle East shows its strength at EBACE

It is difficult enough to develop a business in a fledgling market but, even with the current extra challenges to contend with in the Gulf, several companies are proving they are strong enough to weather the storm and exhibit at EBACE.

Airport operations seem to be the biggest area of growth this year as the Middle East gradually develops its private aviation market.

Dubai-based JetEx Flight Support (booth 7090) is now a show fixture with a large booth in Hall 7. The company has operations centres in Africa, Eastern Europe and the UAE and an FBO in Le Bourget. JetEx has also recently been assisting with diplomatic and evacuation flights in Japan and Libya.

Fellow flight planners Hadid International Aviation Services (booth 7050) has been in business for 30 years this year and will be celebrating its anniversary at the show. Hadid’s core offering to the private sector is obtaining over-flight and landing permits worldwide.

Moonjet Flight Support (booth 1557) is also at the show promoting its global flight services, incorporating ground handling, fuelling and charter.

Two largest markets

According to the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), the two largest markets in the region are Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. MEBAA (booth 1751) will be at EBACE to help develop relationships with other international operators. Partner F&E Aerospace is sharing the stand to promote its Aircraft Interiors Middle East show, which takes place on February 1-2 2012 in Dubai – as well of course as the Dubai Air Show itself which traditionally has a large business aviation showing.

Another familiar name will be Jet Aviation (booth 7060) Dubai, which opened its maintenance and FBO operation in 2005. This complements the General Dynamics-owned company’s two other bases in Riyadh and Jeddah, which opened in 1983 and provide complete FBO services and limited line maintenance to business aircraft operators of all sizes.

Newcomer to the region Gama Aviation FZC (booth 354) is on track to obtain its UAE GCAA CAR 145 maintenance approval in the first half of 2011 and is working to complete its new 12,000sqm hangar facility at Sharjah, which will provide local hangarage and maintenance facilities for business jets.

The company recently introduced its latest aircraft, a Bombardier Challenger 850, into service, the first of the type in the UAE.

The aircraft, owned by a private individual and managed by Gama out of Dubai International Airport, joins four other business jets in Gama’s Gulf stable. Managing director Dave Edwards said: “Gama Aviation FZC only obtained its UAE GCAA Air Operator’s Certificate in February last year so we are pleased that this development is very much in line with our first year aims.”

Making their mark

Other regional charter operators are making their mark. At last year’s MEBA show Swiss charter operator Comlux Aviation (booth 142) ordered two Global 7000s, one of Bombardier’s two new aircraft due to enter service in 2016. Qatar-based Rizon Jet (booth 1143) is also in Geneva. The firm became the latest Middle Eastern operator to take on an ACJ under management. The ACJ will be delivered this year, with the completed aircraft going into service in 2012. AMAC Aerospace (booth 1079) will install the interior.

Qatar Executive (booth 843), the VIP subsidiary of Qatar Airways, operates two Bombardier Challenger 605 aircraft based at Qatar Airways’ hub at Doha International Airport and has also taken a stand at the show.

Key Middle Eastern industry players with established business in the Gulf will be promoting their services. ExecuJet (booth 242) and VistaJet (booth 555 and static display) both have growing entities in the region. VistaJet’s founder Thomas Flohr is looking forward to meeting existing and new clients. He said: “We have a strong brand and what happens on the ground is key to doing business.”

• EBACE2011 takes place in Geneva, Switzerland on May 17, 18 and 19.