MEBA10: Bahraini breakthrough for TAG Aviation

Robert Wells, TAG’s CEO said: “We are extremely pleased to take this important next step in TAG Aviation’s future growth. The Kingdom of Bahrain’s historic dedication to civil aviation and its gateway position to the Gulf region makes it an ideal venue for this new AOC.”

The papers were signed by TAG president Graham Williamson and the deputy undersecretary for civil aviation Ahmed Nemat Ali (pictured).

The kingdom’s “open skies” approach to developing civil air transportation services was the clincher for the Swiss company, along with the fact that Bahrain has become a leading financial centre for the Middle East. Indeed, it will play host to the Bahrain International Air Show to be held in January 2012.

Nemat Ali said: “This move further strengthens the position of Bahrain as a leading aviation centre in the region. CAA welcomes TAG Aviation as its new partner and is fully committed to provide all assistance to make the operations successful.”

Tag will be operating a Challenger 604 from Bahrain and Williamson said the company is looking at MRO and bringing other aircraft to the region.

In further expansion within the group, TAG Aviation Europe has doubled the size of its hangarage space at Geneva Airport, and said it will co-operate with SR Technics on maintenance, interior completion, and refurbishment for Boeing and Airbus business jets. The agreement covers full support maintenance services, technical consultancy, and aircraft completion services.

The companies have signed an initial five-year contract for full maintenance support for a VVIP Airbus A319, which TAG says underlines the mutual commitment to the future co-operation. The aircraft will arrive with SR Technics in spring 2011.

Air BP and Nexus both signed up for the Bahrain show during MEBA this week.