Empire Aviation Group (EAG), a Dubai-based private aviation company, has added the new Hawker business jets to its fleet amid growing demand for private aircraft services in the region.

The company has just taken delivery of a second Hawker 800XP jet aircraft. The company's first Hawker started its operation in mid-December last year under EAG management, logging over 50 hours in its first month of operation, said a company official.

Both aircraft were sold and taken under management by EAG on behalf of private owners, operating out of the executive terminal at Dubai International Airport.

The company is planning to boost its Hawker jet fleet strength to seven aircraft by year end.

Empire Aviation Group CEO, Paras P. Dhamecha, said the company had made a strong start in the private aviation sector bringing to the region its distinctive 'one-stop-shop approach, which offers a comprehensive range of aviation services, from aircraft sales, management, operations, charter, finance and insurance.'

'We offer a business asset management approach to the market for the serious private aircraft owner, whether corporate or private individual,' he added.

The sales and charter demand is growing in the region, driven by the Middle East’s booming economies and the increasingly cross border nature of the business that is being conducted across the region. Our first month of charter operations exceeded all our expectations, with demand arising from international brokers as well as from within the region,” he added.

Empire Aviation Group is Hawker Beechcraft Corporation’s (HBC) authorised and exclusive distributor for the UAE, in addition to several countries in the region. HBC is the world’s leading manufacturer of business aircraft.

Empire offers a broad portfolio of aviation services, including aircraft sales, aircraft charter, air ambulance services, aircraft management, aircraft financing and insurance.

In addition to the Hawkers, EAG also operates a Falcon 900EX Easy and will take delivery of a Challenger 604, Hawker 850 XP, Gulfstream G3 business jet and Embraer Legacy 600 by the end of the first quarter 2008.-TradeArabia News Service