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Rizon, the Middle East charter and aircraft management operator is to centre its Gulf region operations at its new Doha, Qatar headquarters.
“We are reducing the size of our Bahrain and Sharjah offices to consolidate our back office and administrative functions in our new headquarters in Qatar”, confirmed Rizon Group CEO Will Curtis. The move underlines Rizon’s commitment to Doha, where it is constructing a brand new 120,000 sq ft hangar and fixed base operation (FBO) at Doha International Airport, due to open in March 2010. The building is modular so that it can be dismantled and moved to the New Doha International Airport when it opens early in the next decade.
Many of Rizon’s staff in its Bahrain and Sharjah offices are relocating to the Doha office to take up their existing posts there, acknowledged Curtis. “The move will enable us to reduce our costs by 15 to 20%, whilst simultaneously improving our administrative efficiency to cope with our growing business. Rizon’s offices in Bahrain and Sharjah will remain open for sales and marketing activities, but the centralisation in Doha will enable us to improve accessibility to the services we offer to our clients.”
Meanwhile at London Biggin Hill Airport, UK, Rizon is nearing completion of a second 120,000 sq ft maintenance and FBO facility, which is on course for completion in late September 2009. Rizon UK recently received its EASA145 Part M and subparts G and I in respect of its UK operation.
All the approvals and capabilities required to maintain the Learjet 40 and 45, Challenger 300 and the Cessna 550/560 Series (the latter in support of a new management contract) are now in place and operating from Rizon’s temporary base hangar at London Biggin Hill. Approval for maintaining the Challenger 604/5 is in process now and is expected to be added to the Rizon EASA 145 shortly, while the Global Express will follow thereafter. “This will allow us to offer a full service from day one when the new hangar opens. Indeed we are already in position to offer support for these types today,” Curtis added.
Rizon reports a pronounced upswing in its volumes of charter business in the GCC over the past two months owing to an increase in market share and the recent service entry of its Qatar based Challenger 605 where it has had steady uptake for this brand new dedicated charter aircraft. Rizon was recently granted its AOP (Air Operating Permit) from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, becoming the first Doha-based private jet company to receive approval for dedicated business jet operations from Qatar.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
