UK business aviation services provider Gama Aviation can launch commercial operations from its new facility in the Middle East following receipt of its aircraft operator's certificate.
Farnborough, UK-headquartered Gama opened a sales office in the emirate of Sharjah in June 2009 and has been gradually building its managed business jet fleet to service the lucrative market. The line-up includes a Bombardier Challenger 604, 605 and an 850.
"We are fairly modest about our start-up year plans," says Gama group general manager Dave Edwards. "We aim to add an additional four aircraft to the fleet by year end, including owned aircraft, as we traditionally have done in our other markets [including Europe and North America]."
To help support its managed fleet Gama is developing an aircraft maintenance capability in Sharjah where it is also set to break ground in the second quarter on a new fixed-base operation and 10,000m2 (107,640ft2) of hangarage.
Gama manages and operates a fleet of 75 aircraft across its bases in the UK, North America and the Middle East, of which it owns eight.
Source: Flight International