Royal Jet, the region’s leading private jet operator, recently won a number of awards for its fixed base operations (FBO) facility at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.

In a survey of its pilot readership, Aviation International News (AIN) magazine has once again voted it the Best FBO in the Middle East and also ranked it amongst the world's best, while Professional Pilot magazine’s 36th annual PRASE (preferences regarding aviation services and equipment) survey ranked it the best Middle East and African FBO.

These two accolades follow hot on the heels of another award for the FBO facility of the Abu Dhabi-headquartered, international luxury executive flight service company - with Best Fixed Base Operator (Middle East) in the UK-based, ‘Business Destinations’ travel awards 2009.

“What is significant about these awards is that the nominations have been made by the people who most regularly use our facility and compare them to other facilities around the globe,” said Shane O'Hare, Royal Jet's president and CEO.

“They are the people – the pilots and passengers - who understand the subtleties of operating in the Middle East and truly appreciate the very highest level of service that we deliver.”

The private charter group has its own purpose-built VIP terminal and operational facility, which it has run since 2003, close to Terminal 2 of Abu Dhabi International Airport.

A 24-hour operation that handles up to 300 aircraft movements a month, with year-on-year growth of 20 per cent, Royal Jet’s FBO facilities include passenger handling, catering, hangar parking, an aircraft ramp, maintenance services, refuelling services, ground support and on board cleaning.

For Royal Jet’s guests, the VIP terminal offers executive lounges with conferencing rooms, red carpet and limousine service, exclusive hostess, valet and full security services including customs and immigration.

O’Hare added that the company is currently in discussion with Abu Dhabi Airports Company (Adac) regarding the new Al Bateen executive airport.

“Al Bateen executive airport is a great initiative of Adac, facilitating easier arrivals and departures from the capital’s city centre,” he said.

“Full certification of Al Bateen is expected this summer following a $54.5 million upgrade programme to convert the facility from the current military base to a private jet airport.”

“This will enable us to build on our success, which has come about as a result of our high quality, luxury services which in part comes about as a consequence of our pedigree that reflects our founding by the Abu Dhabi Presidential Flight Authority,” O’Hare continued.

“This is reflected in every facet of our business right through to our FBO facilities today.”

Royal Jet’s FBO enables VIP guests to arrive within minutes of departure, with staff taking care of all immigration and luggage clearance procedures. It will also arrange a limousine pick up and drop off for guests, whilst also offering luxurious first-class passenger and crew facilities combined with premier maintenance capabilities. – TradeArabia News Service