Major business jet players are looking at Dubai 2005, the ninth international aerospace exhibition, as a significant factor in their Middle East expansion plans…
Major business jet players are looking at Dubai 2005, the ninth international aerospace exhibition, as a significant factor in their Middle East expansion plans. Aircraft manufacturers, ancillary suppliers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers, view the region as one of the world’s most sophisticated markets and see the Dubai air show playing a pivotal role in developing the Middle East business aviation sector.
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, is a regular to the Dubai air show and according to Robert N. Baugniet, Corporate Communications Director for Gulfstream Aerospace, the regional market is buoyant.
“The Middle East is an important market for Gulfstream. We have a significant number of customers and in-service aircraft throughout the region,” said Baugniet. “And with respect to business jets, the region is one of the most sophisticated markets in the world.
“Gulfstream views the market with optimism and enthusiasm, particularly because it has more products available at various price and performance points to meet customers’ aviation transportation requirements than ever before in the company’s history. And Dubai is a great location for us to meet existing and prospective customers to showcase this expanded fleet.”
Saad Wallan, CEO of Wallan Aviation, Cessna Aircraft Company’s Middle East representative agrees. Dubai 2005 will be the third air show to feature Cessna, and has seen Wallan Aviation open a dedicated Cessna sales office in Dubai, its second in the region after Saudi Arabia.
“Cessna is experiencing increased sales year on year due to the growing demand for private aircraft ownership,” said Wallan.
“Over the next 10 years, we expect to see increased private aircraft sales and charter operations to cater for growing regional business requirements.”
Ancillary suppliers to the business jet sector also view the Middle East as a growth area.
Thrane & Thrane A/S, the Danish satellite communication equipment provider is actively targeting the region with a view to setting up a Middle East dealer network.
“We see great growth potential within the high-end business jet sector,” said Gitte Elsing, Aeronautical Sales Director for Thrane & Thrane. “At present we are not locally represented but cover the region through our Authorized Sales & Service Centres in Europe.
“We anticipate demand increasing enough to warrant setting up regional Authorised Sales & Service Centres and will then expect our Middle East sales to grow exponentially.“
Elsing believes the Middle East business aviation sector is looking to improve its offering through technology that enables travellers to conduct business in the air.
“The need for ‘business-as-usual’ whilst on board aircraft is growing rapidly and the ability to communicate by email, fax and telephone, browse the internet and videoconference is fulfilled by Thrane & Thrane technology,” added Elsing.
“The Middle East is growing in importance for business aviation and because of that, we will be using the Dubai air show to launch a new swift broadband concept.”
Jordan’s business aircraft sector is also represented at Dubai 2005. Jordan has two private sector companies producing aircraft currently in business – one a joint venture, which makes light aircraft for export, which is a first in the Middle East.
Clive Richardson, CEO of Fairs & Exhibitions’ (F&E) aerospace division, organisers of Dubai 2005, sees the Middle East business aviation sector experiencing a steep growth curve for at least the next five years.
“According to IATA, Middle East actual passenger traffic increased by 24.8 percent last year and since 2000, revenue passenger kilometres increased by over 50 percent,” said Richardson. “This growth has been predominately fuelled by a robust regional travel market and it is encouraging executives to consider alternative aviation options.
“Business aircraft, through full or fractional ownership and chartering, can represent a more viable solution to a business as they give flexibility, privacy and comfort.
“The demand for aircraft, ancillary services and pilots is increasing and the regional business jet sector is a huge growth area for the Middle East and the Dubai air show,” he added.
Richardson cites the setting up of the Emirates-CAE Flight Training Centre (ECFT) in December 2003, as further evidence of the sector’s regional growth. The centre was the first Middle East training facility to be qualified to both JAA and FAA standards and the first outside North America to offer pilot and maintenance training for the Hawker 800/800XP and the Gulfstream IV and V full flight simulators.
ECFT Managing Director, David Barette, said 6,000 pilots a year are now going through the training centre and demand continues.
He said: “We have around 80 customers, including 20 commercial airlines and 60 corporate aircraft operators. Our simulators cover Boeing, Airbus, Gulfstream and Hawker 800 aircraft and we will add a Bell 412 simulator later this year and be Bell’s associate trainer for its Middle East customers.”
Dubai 2005 will be held at Airport Expo Dubai from November 20-24 and over 80% of the floor space is already committed including the expanded allocation created by the new third hall – Central Hall – at Airport Expo Dubai, which gives us an additional 10,000 square metres gross. Currently exhibitors from 28 countries including 13 national pavilions have confirmed their participation at this year’s Dubai air show.
Dubai 2005 is organised by F&E in conjunction with the Department of Civil Aviation, Government of Dubai and in collaboration with the UAE Armed Forces.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
