There has been a growth in demand for large aircraft such as the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) while demand in the super mid-size market in the Middle East has likewise held up because of ready availability, said an industry expert.

The demand has resulted in downward pressure on revenue and yield in this category, added Shane O’Hare, president and CEO of Royal Jet, the Abu Dhabi-based international luxury flight services company.

“Our research shows that there is a global demand today for large cabins and long range aircraft,” he noted, speaking at the recently held Gulf Aviation Networking Event (GANE) on ‘New Developments and Future Opportunities in Business Aviation’ in Dubai.

O’Hare identified the development of a strong infrastructure as amongst the main ingredients of a successful business formula for the Middle East’s business aviation industry.

In addition, O’Hare emphasised the importance of having a strong regulatory body which will encourage a well-structured support system and promote highly trained professionals throughout the industry who consistently put the customer at the core in the delivery of its products and services in order to make business aviation safe, efficient and reliable.

O’Hare was amongst the panellists who led a stimulating discussion on some of the industry hot topics attended by regulators, airports authorities, airline and avionics representatives. Other panellists included Laila bin Hareb, executive director, Strategy & International Affairs, GCAA; Dr Mark Pierotti, COO, Al Jaber Aviation; Wassim Saheb, business aircraft sales director, Bombardier and Quintin Cairncross, group flight operations director, ExecuJet Aviation Group.

“What we’d like to see is a level playing field of well-funded, strong, professional operators in the region, able to deliver safe and reliable service,” O’Hare opined.

Talking about the importance of dedicated airports in the region he said: “We applaud the innovative projects that exemplify the UAE government’s long term vision, including the development of Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen Executive Airport and the facilities for executive jets at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport which is growing through its strategic location between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“The far-reaching vision of the leadership to create an aviation hub in the UAE is indeed credible. We need to learn from these developments and stay ahead of the game. We hope other dedicated jet airports will bloom through the region and be geared up for the impending growth we expect.”

The conference organised by Aviation Business provided valuable update on the latest trends and regulatory issues within the Middle East business aviation market, and other issues that were discussed included the gray market, pricing and addressing the needs of customers from the Middle East market.

“There is no magic formula in business aviation. Companies which invest in their business – and their customer’s needs, will continue to outlive those that have aimed to ‘revolutionise’ the industry simply by offering a cheap price. Operators seeking quick gains soon realized that paying for market share with low prices is a short-term and short-sighted strategy,” O’Hare told conference participants which included providers, users and others working in the business jet sector.

In appreciation of its long standing contribution to the private jet industry, O’Hare received a commemorative plaque at the event on behalf of Royal Jet from Laila bin Hareb in celebration of its 10th anniversary this year. – TradeArabia News Service