Abu Dhabi-based Royal Jet, the high-end executive air charter company that hosted the region’s first business aviation conference yesterday, has underlined the development of the Middle East market by announcing a new order which makes it the largest Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) operator in the world.
Royal Jet’s two new aircraft, which boost its BBJ fleet to seven aircraft, are the opulent versions of the BBJ 737-700, and are suitable for heads of state, royalty and business elite on trans-continental and long haul flights, says the company.
The aircraft configuration features an en-suite state room (double bedroom with a bathroom), eight VIP seats in club-four setting, eight VIP seats in lounge setting, eight business seats and 12 economy seats.
Demand
“Royal Jet has responded positively to the current rapid growth and high demand of its customers, which help us fulfil our commitment to be the region’s premier provider for private air charter services catering to local, regional and international clientele,” says Royal Jet chairman Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan.
Ammar Balkar, vice-president, sales and marketing, adds: “Travelling by private air charters is fast becoming a necessity. Based on the high demand of the new BBJ with en-suite state room, the aircraft will provide our loyal clientele with the ultimate travel solution, especially for long haul flights.
“Most of our customers choose to travel with our private air charters to save time.” A trip that might have taken days with a commercial airline takes hours, he says, resulting in more discretionary time on vacation, at work or at home.
Yesterday, Royal Jet – an active leader in the air charter and services industry – hosted the first Middle East Business Aviation Conference (MEBA) to examine the growing needs of the business jet sector. Held under the dual patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai’s department of civil aviation and chairman of the Emirates Group, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, public works minister and chairman of Royal Jet, the conference was organised by Fairs and Exhibitions (F&E) in conjunction with the Dubai air show.
Sheikh Ahmed delivered the keynote address at the one-day conference which targeted senior aviation executives, companies and individuals involved in the chartering, leasing, selling, purchasing and operating of business jets for private or corporate use.
Experts
MEBA was chaired by Jack Olcott, one of the world's leading experts on business aviation. Olcott currently heads the USA's award-winning General Aero, a provider of business aviation solutions, and is a former president of the Washington, DC-headquartered National Business Aviation Association (NBAA). The association is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the success of the business aviation community and represents the interests of more than 7,000 companies that own or operate general aviation aircraft as a business aid or are involved in some other aspect of business aviation.
Ammar Balkar, vice-president sales and marketing Royal Jet, says: “MEBA was a timely initiative as the Middle East is emerging as a key market for executive aviation. The growth in the market is being driven by a combination of factors, including the high price of oil, greater political stability and the general economic growth in the region. These factors are driving business and competition across many sectors in the region, which is encouraging local operators and owners to invest in aircraft.
“Other factors, such as rising demand for greater security in aviation, frequent flyers looking to reduce travel time, rising demand for confidentiality and privacy, overcoming the challenges of transfer connectivity, and transit times at international airports, are driving double digit market growth in some months.
"Our vision is to revolutionise the Middle East business aviation industry with business service platforms that are complemented by technological advancements and full awareness of the latest business aviation trends which lead to an increase in innovation within the private air charter industry.
“Today's travellers in the luxury market demand a travel experience that is unsurpassed. It is our role to communicate this need within our industry, to better enhance the services offered so we can all meet our customers’ needs flawlessly."
Unique
Royal Jet is also catering to another unique market, having started its operations into Asia’s most exclusive destinations for autumn’s popular hunting season and special flight arrangements to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan. Royal Jet organises special flights to Mecca during the holy month, where clients are able to break their fast, perform Omra and return home in just one day.
Royal Jet has also established an air ambulance division, Royal Med, equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment and a full-time team of doctors and nurses. It also offers consultancy services through its aircraft management and acquisition division for private jet owners.
HUGH MCATEAR
Source: Flight Daily News
