Beechcraft Cessna

Beechcraft Cessna

Aviation Sports News On The Recent Middle East Business Aviation(MEBA) Air Show In Dubai

As the Western economies suffered setbacks and confusion there was a popular conception, almost a mantra, that the Middle East was recession-proof .This idea was somewhat dented when Dubai's property bubble burst with spectacular results.

However, in terms f the overall picture this was merely a local difficulty and other areas were unaffected and continued to prosper.

The reality of one of the bellwethers of the current financial situation can best be judged by the recent Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) air show in Dubai.

MEBA was organized on behalf of the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBAA) and is the world's third largest show dedicated to business aviation. The last MEBA show, in November 2008, attracted some 250 exhibitors from 30 countries and over 5500 visitors, resulting in some US$ 1, and 5-billion worth orders. The recent event catered for the same number of exhibitors, but 7000 visitors, an increase of around 35%.

It may seem churlish at this point to mention recent findings in last years Honeywell Business Aviation Outlook that suggests that Middle East purchase plans have now moved more in-line with the overall world average. Purchase expectations of nearly 30% recorded in Africa and the Middle East were off markedly from the record 2009 level but still above North American levels for replacement and expansion rates over the next five years.

The Honeywell report goes on to suggest that Middle East economies have become more cautious in their outlook for sustained economic growth, no doubt stemming from the leveling out of oil prices through much of the year and the  outlook  for slower increases in oil demand coupled to the reduced pace of economic growth.

Nevertheless, operators in these regions still expect to be active buyers, at or near the world average rate. Planned purchases, even at the world average, will still result in more rapid regional growth in the Middle East and there was little doubt that MEBA would not fail to confirm this assumption.

In the recent past much has been said about lack of infrastructure in the area that was inhibiting growth. This is something that is certainly being addressed, a good example being the concept and development of the Al Bateen facility. Originally built in the 1960s, Al Bateen was Abu Dhabi's first airport.

When Abu Dhabi International Airport, located some 20 miles outside the city, was opened in 1982, Al Bateen was used by military aviation until, in June 2009; it secured full aerodrome certification from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) in recognition of its high standards in all areas of operations.

Al Bateen is the Gulfs first dedicated executive aviation airport. It is undergoing extensive re-development to be the premier business airport for the region, as it prepares to double its annual movements to more than 12000 by 2014.Last October the facility announced a 34,4% increase in aircraft movements in the first six month of this year, in comparison with the same period  in 2009.

The airport is owned and operated by the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) which has embarked on a multi-million dollar plan to upgrade the airport with new ILS precision approach capability, new hangars and MRO facilities, plus a hotel on site. During MEBA, it was announced that the GCAA had completed the ILS category 1 upgrade.

In an attention-getting announcement during MEBA, ADAC announced its plan to reduce its aeronautical charges at Al Bateen Executive Airport by 35% on landing fees and by 17% on the current parking fees, for all aircraft, with immediate effect.

The Al Bateen executive team also unveiled the new master plan model of the airport .Plans are in place to develop new hangars and complete apron enhancements, utilities and runway work.

Indigenous Manufacturing

A tantalizing rumour of recent times has been the suggestion of the establishment of an indigenous manufacturing facility in the region.

Mubadala Aerospace, a business unit of Mubadala Development Company, has given credence to the rumours by announcing its intention to develop the capability to design, manufacture and assemble aircraft in Abu Dhabi.

Speculation intensified when Mubadala became a shareholder in Piaggio in 2006 and currently holds 31,5% of the company.Piaggio  has already been reported as developing a business jet and this could offer  a convenient peg for an indigenous project.

Speaking just  prior to the MEBA show opening, market analyst Brian Foley noted that, of about 550 business jets based in the Middle Eastern countries, nearly 90%were considered medium-or large-size jets. This fleet perspective is significant, because the worldwide average was closer to 60% .And it is a measure of utility, not just luxury and prestige.

Business aircraft sales in the Middle East peaked in 2007 and took a tumble with the rest of the world in late 2008."Here, however, the market swing was less extreme than in the USA," Foley pointed out."But it's fair to say that all operators took a lesson from this economy. Today they're a lot more cost-conscious and increasingly sophisticated in their use of planes and other assets."

Foley sees conditions as improving now, with smart operators snapping up late model pre-owned aircraft at prices 30% lower in this buyers market.

The Show Itself

Of course, this economic promise is an irresistible lure for manufacturers of business aircraft and the attendance at MEBA of such a wide range of products was proof of this, with the larger, "long-legged " types tending to dominate.

Cessna showed a wide range of its business jet and propeller aircraft, backed up by the attendance of Trevor Esling,vice president ,International Sales, Cessna ,and Saad Wallan,Chairman ,Wallan Aviation (Cessna Authorized Sales Representative). Included in the static display were the Citation CJ4, Citation X, Skyhawk, Grand Caravan and Corvalis TT.

Embraer is very conscious of the areas importance and showcased its ultra-large Lineage 1000 executive jet together with the light Phenom 300 and the newly certificated large Legacy 650 executive jets. The Legacy 650 with its 3900 nautical mile range recently demonstrated its capabilities with a non-stop flight from Dubai to London, with occupants on board.

This significant increase in range was accomplished through extensive airframe modifications, such as reinforced wings and landing gear, larger fuel capacity and new highly efficient and more powerful Rolls-Royce AE3007A2 engines.

Embraer has delivered the first ultra large Lineage 1000 executive jet to VIP charter company Falcon Aviation Services (FAS), of Abu Dhabi, UAE.The handover ceremony was held at the MEBA static display and is the first of two Lineage 1000 jets ordered by FAS in November 207, along with commitments for more Embraer executive jets.

Saudi Aramco has been welcomed as a new Embraer 170 jet operator in Saudi Arabia. Its first aircraft, delivered at the end of November, was followed by other Embraer 170s towards year-end.

Embraer has now appointed ExecuJet Aviation Group, in Dubai (UAE), as a new Embraer Authorized Service Centre (EASC) for the Legacy 600 and Legacy 650 executive jets. ExecuJet will provide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance services at Dubai International Airport. This move reinforces the Embraer Customer Support and Services network in the Middle East, which now has authorized service centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and a dedicated spare parts distribution centre in Dubai.

This appointment coincides with the recent delivery of the first Legacy 650 large executive jet in the region. This was to an undisclosed customer from Jordan. The aircraft will be managed, on behalf of its owner, by private jet charter operator Arab Wings, also based in Jordan.

Honeywell's new primus Elite avionics suite also equips the Legacy 650 and future Legacy 600s. Due to the excellent performance in hot and high conditions, allowing operations up to temperatures of 50 degrees centigrade, both aircraft have been very successful in the Middle East market, where over 20 are currently in operation.

During the show, it was announced that ABS Jets, a Prague-based company, has received authorization to carry out maintenance of UAE-registered aircraft. ABS Jets has obtained CAR145 approval that enables it to carry out the full range of maintenance services for clients with Embraer aircraft-the legacy 600, phenom 100 and Phenom 300.

Further up the size-scale, two Airbus corporate jets were on show, highlighting their success in the region. These were an A318 Elite operated by Al Jaber Aviation (AJA) and an Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) based in Bahrain and operated by Comlux.AJA began offering its Airbus A318 Elite for VIP charter Flights earlier this year and is the first Airbus customer from the region to offer this services. It is also the largest Airbus customer for charter aircraft in the Middle East, having ordered four A318 Elites and two Airbus ACJs.

Comlux is one of Airbus' largest corporate jet customers and currently has an A318 Elite and an Airbus ACJ based in Bahrain.

On the eve of the show, Rizon Jet, of Doha, Qatar, announced that it was to become a new operator of an ACJ, which it will manage on behalf of the new Gulf customer who ordered it last year. Delivery of the "green" Airbus ACJ is planned for this year, with the outfitted aircraft being handed over to the customer in 2012.

328 Support Services GmbH made its mark by announcing the launch of its new VIP 328DBJ TM at MEBA. This aircraft replaces the "Envoy" version of the 328 and will be the standard for all future VIP conversions.

Two more 328DBJ TM aircraft are being completed in BAVARIA FOR Sky Bird Air; a Nigerian customer.SkyBird will also be taking delivery of a completed 328 airliner featuring the same colours and materials as the VIP interior.

Dassault Expands In the Me

Dassault was also keen to emphasize range while stressing that the Middle East market for business jets was beginning to show signs of recovery. Dassault has a growing fleet of Falcon business jets in the region, which it plans to grow by 30% over the next three years.

Dassault Falcon has sold 14 aircraft in the Middle East in the last two years and has a backlog of 15 additional aircraft to be delivered to regional buyers by 2013.Dassaults current regional fleet size is about 60 business jets. Forty percent of the company's new business jet sales are coming from the Falcon 7X and the company delivered its tenth Falcon 7X to the Middle East before the end of 2010.

Dassault has also expanded its presence and infrastructure with a new regional sales office and recently appointed a new regional sales director in Dubai, as well as a second Authorized Service Centre and a new customer service manager, in Saudi Arabia.CAE SimuFlite, Dassaults training provider partner, will open a brand new Falcon training centre in Dubai in the second quarter of 2011.

Dassault confirmed that it is working toward a 2016 certification date for the new SMS Falcon business jet; the twin-engine SMS will be the successor to the trijet Falcon 50.

During MEBA, Dassault announced that the Falcon 200LX had gained approval for operations at London City Airport (LCY), well known for its steep approach paths.

Bombardier Breakthrough

Bombardier achieved a breakthrough sale at the show for its new Global 7000 aircraft when Comlux signed a contract for two of the ultra-long-range jets. It was the first of two deals signed by the Canadian manufacturer at the show on one day, which is set to go home from Dubai with at least $ 285-millionin new business.

Comlux selected the new model with the Middle East very much in mind. The Global 7000 will allow the aircraft management and charter operator to fly passengers nonstop from its new regional base in Bahrain to the US.

The Canadian manufacturer introduced its ultra-long range Global 7000 and Global 8000 aircraft at the NBAA trade show in Atlanta in October. The newcomers are Bombardiers response to the challenged posed by Gulfstream's new G650 large cabin product.

The entry-into-service date for the Global 7000, the larger of the two new aircraft, is set for 2016.Comlux is scheduled to take delivery of its first that year and it's second in 2017.

Bombardier also showed the Learjet 60 XR, Challenger 300, Challenger 605, Challenger 850 and the Global Express XRS in the static display.

ME Growth

Hawker Beech craft Corporation (HBC) also continues to experience growth in the Middle East ,the company displaying four of its business jet and turboprop aircraft at MEBA .These were the Hawker 4000,Hawker 900XP,Beechcraft Premier IA and Beech craft King Air 350i.

Hawker Beech craft Services (HBS) revealed that it had acquired the first test aircraft  and initiated design engineering on its $2,24-million high performance upgrade for Hawker 400XP/Beech craft 400A aircraft.

The Hawker 40XPR, which is expected to receive certification in 2012, offers improved range and airfield performance, while reducing noise and emissions by replacing the existing Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5 engines with new Williams International FJ44-4A-32 dual FADEC high-bypass turbofans. The upgrade also features the addition of Hawker composite winglets and an optional modernized flight deck with Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics.

When considering suitable aircraft types for conversion to business or VIP aviation, the Lockheed Hercules is not the first one that comes to mind. On the opening day of MEBA, the Alsalam Aircraft Company, of Saudi Arabia, delivered a Lockheed L-100 Hercules in VIP configuration, to an undisclosed customer. The aircraft featured an interior designed by MAZ Aviation, also of Saudi Arabia, and among the many refinements are new, larger windows well removed from military look of the usual run of Hercules.

ExecuJet Middle East and ExecuJet Europe were in buoyant mood and announced the addition of a further seven new aircraft into their managed fleet, with a further four aircraft in the pipeline expected to join over the next few months.ExecuJet Middle East has just  signed a brand new Challenger 605 which was due to have been delivered last month.

In an effort to create further coordination and higher optimization of the charter services offered, ExecuJet has decided to merge the charter sales teams within the Middle East and Europe and will now manage a team of over 10 charter professionals. Both regions will be working on a common IT Platform to further harmonize their services that will enable the team to sell flights for the entire fleet to all charter clients.

ExecuJet Middle East also revealed a partnership with Al Faisal Holding, in Qatar, to form a business aviation company in Doha to be named ExecuJet Qatar. The new company has been established to secure an Air Operating Certificate (AOC) and provide aircraft management and charter services to clients in Qatar.

During the show, Emirates-CAE Flight Training (ECFT) signed a contract with GainJet Aviation SA for Gulfstream G450, Gulfstream G550 and Bombardier Global Express pilot training at the Dubai centre.GainJet is a private aircraft charter operator and management company headquartered in Athens, Greece.

CAE also provides training for GainJet pilots on the Embraer Phenom 100 aircraft at Embraer-CAE Training Services in Burgess Hill, and the Gulfstream G200 at the CAE North East Training Centre in Morristown, New Jersey.

The UK-based Gama Group was keen to note that its Gama Aviation FZC has met its planned targets for its first year of operation in the region. In addition, a fifth wide-bodied business jet, privately owned Bombardier Global XRS, is now on line under management.

Gama is now in the of applying for its UAE GCAA CAR 145 maintenance approval which it hopes to achieve  in the first half of 2011 and is  working to complete a new 12000 square metres hangar facility at Sharjah.

Inevitably there was strong support from local companies, typically Sharjah-based provider of flight support services, Avjet Routing which emphasized its services at MEBA.

Spot Air chose MEBA to launch a new concept in VIP travel. The company has recognized the need to provide VIP flights for large groups of people, from 30 to 60 passengers.

Spot Air is targeting this market sector following a sharp increase in the number of flights the company has undertaken to Dubai and the UAE.

Thrane & Thrane introduced its new Aviator wireless handset for the first time at MEBA.Designed specifically for in-flight communications; the Aviator offers a range of advanced features for voice and data communications. Anyone aboard the aircraft can use the Aviator to make and receive in-flight calls.

The solution provides an extensive range of innovative features that includes echo and noise cancellation to ensure audio quality.

MEBA was also used to present the Thrane & Thrane Aviator 200, which recently received Inmarsat Type Approval, following successful installation and testing on a Cessna Citation .The Aviator 200 simultaneously provides data speeds up to 200 kbps and a single AMBE 2 channel for voice calls, offering users aboard smaller aircraft a complete communications capability where this was previously not achievable.

Perhaps the pace of aircraft sales was not a frenetic as has been experienced in the past but the show underlined the rapid and extensive development of infrastructure provision.

Air traffic control and ground facilities continue to be modernized through-out the Middle East .Most recently, Jordanian private jets (JPJets) signed an agreement with Alaeddin Construction to complete the third phase of Aqabas VIP Terminal project, which will open for operation early this year.

It seems that the continued success of the show has grown the facility at Dubai and the search is on for an alternative site for 2012.

A decision is expected within the year.

About the Author

Anthony Juma is the Editor and Senior Aviation Director at Wings Over Africa Aviation. 
This is an Air Charter Company that specializes on Air Charter Services , Private Business Jet  Flights  Kenya,Tanzania,Uganda,Rwanda,Burundi,Eastern & Central Africa. The website has guided thousands of travelers to achieve their dream holiday. For more information and guidance, visit the site at http:// / www.wingsoverafrica-aviation.com/index.php/our-fleet.html

1959 Beech Travel Air playing with Cessna 172