Business Aviation

Middle Eastern buyers of Cessna's Citation Columbus are in-line to receive their share of $50million in deposit refunds as the US planemaker suspends its largest jet programme.

Bahrain-based executive charter business Rizon is adding to its facilities having started work on a brand new business aviation FBO and hangar facility at Doha Airport. The new facility, similar to the size of its UK headquarters at London Biggin Hill now under construction, is scheduled for opening in early 2010.

Bahraini operator Rizon has started work on a new FBO and hangar facility at Doha Airport. The new facility, similar to the size of its UK headquarters at London Biggin Hill now under construction, is scheduled for opening in early 2010.

Project Phoenix, the Dubai-based Bombardier CRJ-200 executive VIP conversion specialist, has brought in a well known industry specialist to boost its sales team.

Dubai-based Jet Aviation with its U.S. and Asia aircraft management division has increased its managed fleet by more than 20 aircraft already this year.

Dubai's Emivest Aerospace, owner and builder of the Sino Swearingen SJ30 light jet has said the SJ30 will fly before the end of the month.

The business jet market may be down, but there are bargains to be had, ExecuJet sales chief Andrew Hoy tells Phil Nasskau

Hawker Beechcraft has reported lower net sales and an increased operating loss for the three months ending March 29, compared to the same period in 2008

The $39 million expansion of the departure terminal at Muscat's international airport has been completed and the final bidders for the new airport development have also been confirmed

Jordanian biz jet operator Arab Wings has announced its plans to expand into the UAE with the launch of a sister company to be based at Sharjah called Gulf Wings.

Dubai-based Palm Aviation has reported strong 2008 financial results as the company stays on course to deliver planned revenue growth of 35 per cent per annum over the next five years.

Royal Jet has confirmed its position as the World's Leading Private Jet Charter company having won the title at the World Travel Awards for the second year running.

Germany's Case4de and the UK's Design Q have teamed up to produce the interior for Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud's A380 'Flying Palace'.

Dubai-based Elite Jets has taken delivery of a second brand new Gulfstream G450 large cabin business jet.

Empire Aviation has said it achieved 100% year-on-year growth and said it has defied the current downturn in a booming business aviation market.

The first of the true VLJ air taxi aircraft - The Eclipse 500 - has been thrown a lifeline with the formation of yet another company to acquire and operate the assets of the failed business jet programme

Abu Dhabi based Royal Jet, has announced what it describes as a 'world-first' by becoming the only private jet charter company to offer its guests a personal chef, providing them with bespoke gourmet dining based on their own individual preferences.

IT and communications service provider ARINC is to have its first application of its Oi onboard Internet software in service by the end of the year.

Dubai based Project Phoenix - the company converting used Bombardier CRJ regional jets into VIP business airliners has signed a partnership agreement with eJet Services Ltd. ahead of the first customer deliveries of the luxury conversion.

Executive Aircraft Services (EAS) has opened its new 42x42 meters hangar at Beirut International Airport.

Cessna is cutting back production on its CJ, Sovereign and Citation X lines and introducing enforced leave for its workforce to match the reduced demand.

Austrian-based VistaJet has said it sees a significant proportion of its major order for Bombardier business jets being based in the Middle East.

Riyadh-based Al Saif Group has been named an authorised sales representative for Embraer in Saudi Arabia to promote the full line up of Embraer's executive jets.

Experts from the Middle East business aviation sector have expressed their confidence that the market will continue to grow during this year.

UAE based luxury charter operator Royal Jet, has opened a new charter brokerage service based in Dubai to source appropriate aircraft for charter through a network of carefully audited operators.