The biggest exhibitor on the static park, Aero Toy Store, is making its Dubai air show debut and says the Middle East has become its largest market.
"The people here are opportunistic and realise that the values aircraft have settled into today are likely to be at an all-time low," says Gary Anzalone, senior vice-president of the Florida-based business aircraft retailer and conversions specialist.
"They also see that manufacturers have reduced their manufacturing capabilities, so very shortly you will see a shortage of new aircraft supply," says Anzalone.
Up to four in 10 of Aero Toy Store's customers today come from the Gulf region. "The USA has been a minority for us since 9/11," he says.
Aero Toy Store has no fewer than seven aircraft on display - one fewer than Cessna, but because the jets are bigger, its exhibition area takes up more space. They include a Boeing 737, an Embraer Legacy 600 and two Bombardier Globals.
The company has built its business by speculatively securing positions on manufacturer production schedules, installing bespoke interiors at its own completion centres in Fort Lauderdale and Montreal, and exploiting shorter waiting times to sell the jets on to customers.
It also trades in and remarkets used aircraft, and offers financing, including Sharia-compliant packages.
"Our strength is that we are an inventory dealer, not a broker. We own all our assets," says Anzalone.
The company has just hired its first sales director for the Middle East and Europe - Nicholas McHaffey, formerly of ExecuJet.
Source: Flight Daily News
