VIP charter operator Royal Jet is in discussions with both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag carriers to launch a regional clone of Swiss premium-class-only services specialist PrivatAir.
The two-year-old Abu Dhabi-based company is “strongly considering” a move into the market pioneered by PrivatAir, offering Etihad Airways or Emirates passengers a scheduled airline alternative for business-class passengers on at least two potentially lucrative routes, says Ammar Balker, Royal Jet’s sales and marketing manager.
The two most promising markets under discussion are the Dubai-Jeddah corridor and the Dubai-Mumbai route, each of which are over-capacity for the flag carriers’ business- and first-class sections, says Balker.
“You have to book two weeks in advance to reserve a seat now,” he says.
If the discussions prove fruitful, Royal Jet has initial plans to reconfigure one of its four Boeing Business Jets (BBJ) into a 44- or 45-passenger first-class cabin, says Balker.
The concept is “one of the things that is promising” for Royal Jet, the UAE-owned VIP charter carrier started as a joint venture between Abu Dhabi Aviation and the Amiri Flight.
Since launching in May 2003, the company has acquired nine aircraft, including two Gulfstream G300s and one Bombardier Challenger 300.
In addition, Royal Jet last week announced the delivery of an AgustaWestland AB139 and a BAE Systems Avro RJ70, which can be used for servicing hunting expeditions requiring remote landing strips.
The charter operator last week also announced a new partnership with the Bombardier SkyJet charter brokering service for the manufacturer’s business jet clients.
The alliance will allow SkyJet to book customers on all Royal Jet aircraft, with the single Challenger 300 reserved with highest priority, says Balker.
Royal Jet is offering to become the lead company to launch a Middle East Business Aviation Association, which would lobby regional governments and help to educate the region’s business travellers, says Ali Al Naqbi, a co-founder of Royal Jet and director finance and administration at Amiri Flight.
Source: Flight International
