DC Aviation (stand 775) is preparing to open its temporary hangar and fixed-base operation at Dubai World Central in the fourth quarter as part of the German company's offensive in the lucrative Middle Eastern market.
Speaking at the show - where the business aviation services provider showcased one of its three managed Airbus Corporate Jetliners - DC Aviation chief executive Steffen Fries said: "Initially we will offer FBO services as well as line maintenance in Dubai on German, US and Dubai-registered Bombardier and Airbus business jets. We will add other types as and when there is sufficient demand."
Fries added that DC is starting with a temporary solution of between one and a half and three years at the site "as we are not sure where we will end up [in Dubai]"
DC has a fleet of 30 aircraft - a third of which are company owned. It flies three ACJs - two managed and one owned - and is scheduled to take delivery of a fourth managed aircraft at the end of the month, making it the largest operator of the type.
Fries said the company is planning to double its fleet within three years, with emphasis on the midsize cabin sector and above which, he added, has been less affected by the economic slowdown than its light-cabin stablemates.
"We plan to expand our long-haul fleet [which includes Bombardier Challenger 604s, Global Expresses, Gulfstream G550s and Embraer Legacy 600s] mainly through management," he added. The Stuttgart-based company is scheduled to take delivery in the fourth quarter of the first of its Legacy 650s. The second is expected to follow in 2011.
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Source: Flight Daily News
