Jet Aviation, a global business aviation service company, plans to enter Dubai as part of its Middle East expansion plans. Currently, the company’s offices in Saudi Arabia, which were established in 1979, represent its only presence in the region.
According to a report in Gulf News, Jet Aviation regards Dubai as possessing the greatest potential for its next Middle East operation, in part because its business aviation sector has yet to mature. For instance, while there are presently 120 business aircraft based in Saudi Arabia, the number in Dubai is far lower.
Jet Aviation recently expanded its maintenance capabilities in the Middle East in an effort to better serve its customers. A maintenance team of nine in Jeddah and Riyadh focuses mainly on troubleshooting, repairs and OPS1 and OPS2 inspections. Both Jet Aviation facilities in Saudi Arabia offer full FBO services and line maintenance to private, business and military operations 24 hours per day.
Jet Aviation was founded in Switzerland in 1967 and is today the sole global business aviation service company. It operates more than 140 aircraft with almost 3,500 employees in 30 locations across Europe, the Far East, North and South America and the Middle East. Last year, net sales reached $449.9 million, up by 23 percent over 1998. Outfitting and ground handling services generated record high revenues in Europe, while in the United States the bulk of the increase was in charter and line services. – (Albawaba-MEBG)
