EBACE: New charter business for Beirut

A joint venture was launched on the final day of EBACE bringing a new executive charter operator to the Middle East.

The jv is between Tyrolean Jet Services (TJS) an executive air charter operator established 1978 and Clear Sky a company established and owned by MerchantBridge International Holdings. .

It will be named Clearsky - Tyrolean Jet Services or CST and will have its first operation in Beirut, Lebanon. CST will offer charter through its own fleet and third party aircraft and management services in a first phase and maintenance and FBO in a second phase. CST is headed by Munzer Awaida who has over 30 years experience in the aviation industry.

CST is planning to provide its large client base in the region customised flight services both within the region for short trips and to international destinations. Supported by the experience of its parents, CST says it aims to offer more than just convenient and efficient personal transportation with a unique suite of quality services encompassing all phases of travel.

The first aircraft, an Executive Dornier 328JET with 14 seats operated by TJS will be based in Beirut from June 2009. The Joint Venture will very quickly expand its fleet and will establish operations in other markets in the Middle East to better serve its clients.

Basil Al-Rahim founder and president of MerchantBridge said: “The Middle East executive aircraft market is still in its infancy when compared to developed markets and, notwithstanding the current challenging global and regional environment, offers important growth opportunities in the medium term. We are pleased to have teamed up with TJS to better serve this market”.