Plans for the world's biggest airport in Dubai have been given a boost at the show. Germany's DC Aviation is teaming with local conglomerate Al Futtaim to establish the first business aviation charter and maintenance operation at the emirate's new Al Maktoum International.
The deal to set up the operation in the third quarter of 2011 was signed on the sidelines of MEBA by Dubai ruler Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Al Futtaim Group vice-chairman Omar Abdulla Al Futtaim.
Although plans still have to be confirmed, the business will occupy a 6,000m2 (64,600ft2) site at the desert airport and offer aircraft including the Airbus A319 Corporate Jet and Bombardier Global Express.
It is the first move into the Middle East by the former DaimlerChrysler flight department, which became an independent company in 2007 and has a fleet of 20 managed and eight company-owned aircraft, including four ACJs, as well as a fixed-base operation in Stuttgart.
"It has been part of our strategy to go down this route and we have had a relationship with Mr Al Futtaim because we manage his aircraft," says Shahram Sadatel, vice-president marketing. "It is a market where there is a high demand for ACJs in particular."
Al Maktoum International - part of the 140km2 (54 miles2) Dubai World Central "aerotropolis" - opened for cargo flights earlier this year and is intended to become the world's largest airport by the end of the decade.
Source: Flight Daily News
