United Aviation to expand regional charter operation
Kuwaiti business jet charter company United Aviation plans to establish the country's first commercial helicopter operation at its Kuwait City base using an MD Helicopters MD 500 and a Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin.
The privately owned company also wants to expand its fixed-wing fleet and says it is eyeing a third super mid-size Embraer Legacy and the larger Embraer 170. "It is early days," says Capt Eddie Branam, United Aviation director of operations. "We began services about a year ago and have been overwhelmed by the response."
United Aviation expects to start helicopter services in January 2005 and says it has a solid infrastructure in place with landing pads around the city and others planned in key locations throughout the region. "There is huge demand for helicopter transport in Kuwait City," Branam says, "where traffic congestion has become intolerable."
Both helicopters will service this operation as required, but the single-engined MD 500 will also be used for air tours and government work, while the Dauphin will be offered for VIP charter and offshore transport.
The US-registered 14-seat Legacy Executives are mainly used for ad hoc charter within the Middle East although services to Europe are commonplace.
United Aviation has been operating under a US FAR Part 129 air operator's certificate (AOC) for foreign operations. Under the terms of this regulation the FAA oversees the aircraft's maintenance, Branam says, and the Kuwaiti civil aviation authority oversees the aircraft's operation.
"We are now awaiting our Kuwaiti AOC and are considering purchasing a Kuwaiti-registered aircraft, which will allow us to operate into Iraq."
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based Royal Jet is expected to announce next week the choice of mid-size business jet for its VIP charter operation. The Bombardier Challenger 300 is believed to be a leading contender for the contract for two aircraft, plus options.
Royal Jet, owned jointly by the Abu Dhabi department of civil aviation and the Amiri Flight, took delivery earlier this month of its second VVIP-configured Boeing Business Jet. The aircraft entered service on 15 July and is being used for luxury charter and government transport.
The aircraft, configured for 42 passengers, also joins two large-cabin Gulfstream 300s that are already in service.
KATE SARSFIELD / LONDON
Source: Flight International
