Royal Jet, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered international luxury VIP aircraft charter company, is to host the inaugural Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) conference – the first of its kind to run in conjunction with a Dubai air show.
“As a prime mover in bringing about this initiative, and as one of the region’s leading operators of business jets, it is essential Royal Jet’s influential name and branding is highly visible at this important conference,” said Ammar Balkar, Vice President Sales & Marketing, Royal Jet.
“We will be working closely with Fairs & Exhibitions, organiser of both MEBA and the Dubai air show, to deliver a world-class gathering and establish the groundwork for an event which can be further developed,” added Balkar.
“This is a most timely initiative with the Middle East emerging as a key market for executive aviation. The growth in the market is being driven by a combination of factors, including the high price of oil, greater political stability and the general economic growth in the region. These factors are driving up business and competition across many sectors in the region, which is encouraging local operators and owners to invest in aircraft. Other factors, such as rising demand for greater security in aviation, frequent flyers looking to reduce travel time, rising demand for confidentiality and privacy, overcoming the challenges of transfer connectivity, and transit times at international airports, are driving double digit market growth in some months.”
MEBA will be held at the Le Meridien Dubai on November 19th this year – the day prior to the opening of Dubai 2005 – the ninth international aerospace exhibition. The keynote address is to be delivered by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President, Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai.
“We have received strong interest in this inaugural event from the entire business jet spectrum including manufacturers, operators and brokers,” explained Clive Richardson, Chief Executive, Aerospace Division, Fairs & Exhibitions (F&E).
“The enrolment of Royal Jet as MEBA host is a major plus for the event as it will attract some of the region’s most prominent VIP charter and business jet end users as well as aircraft manufacturers. Royal Jet’s own spectacular growth from one Boeing Business Jet aircraft on launch in May 2003 to its current fleet of four BBJs, two Gulfstream 300s and a Bombardier Challenger and its plans for new aircraft additions every five months on average is a key indicator to the huge potential of the Middle East market.”
MEBA has been launched to examine the growing needs of the business jet sector which has recorded a 40% increase in demand for private jets worldwide since September 11, 2001.
“The conference will also examine the specific needs of the Middle East where the business jet market is in bullish mode,” said Alison Weller, Project Manager, Dubai air show.
“Industry sources put GCC ownership of private jets currently at 250 and this is expected to reach 300 by the end of 2006. Dubai received around 252 private chartered jets during the first week of this year’s Dubai Shopping Festival alone, while on average, Abu Dhabi airport receives 50 flights a month from this sector.”
Royal Jet has witnessed substantial growth over the past 24 months and has expanded its sales operation this year with the opening of sales offices in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
MEBA will largely be an ‘invitation only’ event with only around 20% of the anticipated 300 attendees being paying delegates. Two key publications – Arabian Knight, the flagship quarterly magazine from Bahrain’s Al Hilal Publishing and Aviation International News, the monthly trade magazine which circulates to in excess of 36,000 aviation professionals and more than 4,000 industry executives across 172 countries – have been appointed supporting publications for MEBA.
“Through these two key media partnerships we will reach the VIP end user of executive aviation as well as the manufacturers and suppliers,” said Weller.
Royal Jet was launched in May 2003 and is a 100% UAE owned private charter operator. Royal Jet provides special services in the field of air charter to VIP customers wishing to charter luxurious aircraft for private business, leisure or official governmental flights.
Royal Jet flights have been designed to cater to the special needs of VVIP/VIP customers, businessmen and families alike, who require privacy and services of the highest standard. Royal Jet flies its customers to their chosen destination, at their preferred time on their preferred schedule. All food is prepared in accordance with the requests and desires of the customers. Royal Jet’s aircraft can be reconfigured to suit the customer’s needs within two and a half hours of confirming availability. The aircraft will then be ready for take-off to the customer’s (required) selected destination.
Furthermore, Royal Jet has established Royal Med, its air ambulance division, geared with sate of the art medical equipment and full time Aero Medical team of Doctors and Nurses. Royal Jet also offers consultancy services through its aircraft management and acquisition division for private jet owners. A fourth division is the Royal Jet FBO/ VIP terminal where a full range of maintenance, ground handling and crew and catering services are provided to all executive flights flying into or through Abu Dhabi.
