Jet Aviation remains one of the leading business aviation service-providers in the United Arab Emirates and Gulf Cooperation Council. Along with other FBOs, the company is in the process of preparing for the anticipated transfer of business aviation traffic from Dubai’s existing airport, Dubai International (DXB) to its new aerotropolis, Dubai World Central (DWC).
“Dubai has very good infrastructure to support business aviation and has become a busy place for FBO traffic and MRO support at both Dubai International and Dubai World Central," commented Hardy Butschi, vice president and general manager, Jet Aviation Dubai. We also offer off-site aircraft-on-ground (AOG) support, as well as simple line maintenance services at Sharjah, Al Bateen (Abu Dhabi) and other airports in the region on a weekly basis. Going forward, the business climate is very positive.”
Jet Aviation Dubai’s MRO and FBO location at DXB was established in May 2005 as a joint venture with the Al Mulla Group of Kuwait. The facility has more than 45,000 sq ft of hangar space, a workshop area of almost 11,000 sq ft and a two-story FBO building 11,300 sq ft in size.
The facility holds EASA maintenance approval and is an FAA repair station. It also holds approvals with the civil aviation authorities of Bahrain, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, India, San Marino, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Jet Aviation Dubai said it was an authorized service center for maintenance and warranty support for Boeing BBJ aircraft, the Gulfstream G150, G200, GIV and GV, G450, G550 and G650 series, the Dassault Falcon 900 and 2000 series and 7X, and full service capability for Hawker Beechcraft 800/900 series, Airbus ACJ series and the Embraer Legacy family, including L4 and L12 inspections.
The company expanded its VIP handling service to Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central (DWC) in December 2012. “We expect that general aviation will gradually move from DXB to the new airport at DWC,” said Stefan Benz, vice president of Jet Aviation MRO and FBO Operations, EMEA & Asia. “In light of expected changes, we are in discussions with both airports to prepare our transit and define our future footprint.
“Regardless of what medium- to long-term developments transpire, we fully intend to maintain our strong position as an FBO and MRO service provider in Dubai and expect to further expand our service portfolio for the benefit of our customers. Dubai is and will remain our hub for the Middle East,” he added.
“We are in discussions with both organizations–the Dubai Aviation City Corporation as well as Dubai International Airport–to ensure a seamless transition, subject to the overall guidance from both organizations,” Butschi said.
Jet Aviation is likely to complete the transfer of FBO and MRO services to DWC within the next three years, but to maintain a presence at DXB. “We currently continue to operate our FBO facilities from both locations, while our MRO services are provided from our hangar facility at DXB,” Butschi told AIN. “Assuming the transition from DXB to DWC will take place during the next three-year period, we aim to continue our current business set-up at the new location.”
Base maintenance for its approvals is performed at DXB, but some approvals are valid for work off-site, limited to simple defect rectification, line maintenance and AOG support. Additional approvals are added in accordance with customer and market demand.
Jet Aviation also announced a new approval with the UK’s Rolls-Royce at EBACE this year. “We are part of a group-wide agreement with Rolls-Royce to provide on-wing support, including engine changes on BR700-710A-10, BR700-710C4-11, BR725, Tay 611-8 and Tay 611-8C,” said Butschi.
“We support all operators in accordance with our approvals and in compliance with General Dynamics’ guidelines. At our FBOs, however, we are free to provide ground handling services to any aircraft type, except for commercial airlines.”
In Saudi Arabia, Jet Aviation said it handled most of the international clientele, which comes to the kingdom from all over the world. In Dubai, it said approximately half its clientele were Middle East-based.
Jet Aviation Saudi Arabia is a joint venture with undisclosed Saudi Arabian partners and claims to have been the first company to set up an FBO in the kingdom. Today, the company operates four FBOs in Saudi Arabia, including Jeddah since 1979, Riyadh (1983), Medina (2012) and Dammam (2014).
The facilities in Jeddah and Riyadh hold Saudi Arabian GACA licenses and offer FBO services, line maintenance and aircraft-on-ground (AOG) services to private, business and military operators. Jet Aviation’s ground handling services at Medina and Dammam include passenger handling, immigration and customs clearance, transportation, hotel and catering coordination, aircraft refueling, cleaning and turnaround assistance.
Alain Champonnois, vice president and general manager of Jet Aviation Saudi Arabia said, “We currently have four FBOs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Jeddah and Riyadh are the busiest in the country, whereas Medina and Dammam are smaller operations at which we operate small lounge and office concepts. In terms of improvements, we have recently refurbished our facilities in Jeddah and Riyadh..
“In future, we are hopeful that King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh will either build a new business aviation terminal or permit us to build our own facility.”
