DAY 1
Gulfstream Aerospace’s G700 is making its return to MEBAA, but this time as a certified aircraft. The U.S. company has delivered several of the ultralong-range jets to customers here in the Middle East since the model entered service in May.
DECEMBER 10, 2024
by Charles Alcock
Dubai is jockeying for a position to be among the first, if not the world-first, to offer eVTOL air-taxi services. In February, the government granted Joby Aviation exclusive rights to the local market for a period of six years, and in recent months the manufacturer has indicated that it expects to start operations in the UAE before they do in major U.S. cities such as New York City and Los Angeles.
Three months ago, Joby applied to the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) for an air operator certificate, having already secured one in the U.S. Last month, Joby and partners Skyports and the Dubai Road and Transport Authority started construction of a vertiport at Dubai International Airport.
This is one of four locations in an initial air taxi network that will also include Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and Dubai downtown. A flight from the airport to the Palm Jumeirah resort area is expected to take 10 minutes versus 45 minutes by car.
Joby’s four-passenger aircraft will have an 87-nm range and cruise at speeds up to 174 knots. The eVTOL manufacturer is now at an advanced stage of the FAA type certification process, with GCAA expected to validate that approval under bilateral agreements.
But Joby doesn’t have a lock on the advanced air mobility (AAM) aspirations of the Gulf states. Not to be sidelined, Abu Dhabi officials have given the green light to both Joby and its rival Archer Aviation, which is in the process of completing FAA type certification for its continues on page 21
SUSTAINABILITY
UAE sees green
The Middle East is not immune from the global push to decarbonize aviation | 16
FBO
Gama expanding Its new business jet services facility takes shape at the UAE’s Sharjah Airport | 20
Gogo goes GEO
Company completes acquisition of Satcom DIrect, adding more satcom options | 17
Qatar Exec soars Gulfstream G700 fleet provides lift for more growth in longe-range charter market | 8
Jetex hopes the agreement to open an FBO at the Red Sea Airport in Saudi Arabia will unlock more opportunities there for the company.
By Peter Shaw-Smith
Jetex has agreed to open its first FBO in Saudi Arabia, finally unlocking the door to a market it has long wanted to enter and setting the stage for the expansion of aircraft ground handling provision in the country. The Dubai-based group has reached an agreement to develop and operate the FBO at Red Sea International Airport (OERS) on Saudi Arabia’s west coast, unlocking a market rich in opportunity but facing a stiff task to bring its substantial plans to fruition.
Adel Mardini, Jetex’s founder and CEO, signed the deal with the airport’s operator, DAA International (DAAI), on Friday, with the support of Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind Saudi tourism destinations The Red Sea and Amaala.
Jetex hopes its arrival at OERS, a gateway for up to 40 new luxury Saudi resorts, will allow the company to replicate its success at Dubai Al Maktoum International (OMDW) and Paris Le Bourget airports. It sees similar opportunities at several other Saudi Arabian airports.
The general aviation strategy of the country’s General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) calls for six dedicated general aviation airports nationwide, as well as FBO facilities in private terminals at a further nine commercial airports.
“That’s my goal,” Mardini told AIN. “First, I want to establish our presence, showcase our product, and then I will shine.” He said he was unable to sign a more comprehensive agreement for FBO services with Saudi Arabia’s aviation authorities.
“Agreements must be made individually,” Mardini explained. “Currently, I’ve been officially awarded [only] one airport. It’s Jetex exclusively at the Red Sea. By next year, we’ll have 50 employees and operate the facility 24/7.”
Dubai-based Jetex was selected as the FBO operator of OERS following a competitive tender process. This is Jetex’s first significant venture into the Saudi market and the first FBO to be awarded under GACA’s new strategy.
With Jet Aviation and Saudia Private Aviation being the sole FBO incumbents for many years, Jetex has maintained it was time for more competition. A potentially brand-new FBO complex at the new King Salman International Airport in Riyadh will have FBO operators around the world anxiously looking to exploit the most prominent of multiple tender opportunities.
Jetex expects its workforce to hit 1,000 employees by year-end, as revenue growth jumped 15 percent in the first nine months versus the same period in 2023, the company reported on the eve of the MEBAA Show. z
Gulfstream Aerospace has had a presence in the Middle East for nearly 60 years and there are now more than 120 Gulfstreams based there. President and CEO Mark Burns said the company continues to see strong interest and robust demand in the region.
“The Gulfstream fleet in the Middle East has grown nearly 40% in the last decade, which means that more and more customers are operating our high-speed, long and ultra-long-range aircraft, from the G650ER to the G500/600 and now G700 since its certification this past spring,” he told AIN ahead of the MEBAA 2024 show.
“To that end, we are seeing year-overyear increases in longer duration flights out of the Middle East and more international destinations being reached as operators are taking advantage of Gulfstream capabilities.”
To support the fleet, Gulfstream Customer Support has dedicated field service representatives in the Middle East. The company also maintains a parts inventory in the region in Dubai at sister company Jet Aviation, augmenting Gulfstream’s parts distribution facility in Amsterdam.
Additionally, Jet Aviation Dubai is a Gulfstream-authorized service center. Operators in the region also can take their aircraft to Gulfstream’s Farnborough, UK service facility, which has approvals from several Middle Eastern countries. C.T.
More than 120 Gulstream jets, including G700s, are now based in the region.
www.amacaerospace.com
By Matt Thurber
MedAire has added several new security support features for business aircraft operators in the Middle East, including an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered news and events service, plus training for their staff. The company is also rolling out new crew wellbeing services this week at MEBAA 2024.
Abu Dhabi-based charter operator RoyalJet today announced that it is introducing MedAire’s Digital Assessment Kit for its entire fleet, to receive medical emergency support through MedAire’s MedLink service. During flights, MedLink connects crew with emergency room physicians on the ground who can assess passenger medical issues and provide guidance as to the safest way to resolve these situations.
The AI news and event tool is integrated in MedAire’s client portal and “will provide clients unparalleled access to critical news insights, further reinforcing the commitment to operator security situational awareness,” according to MedAire. This includes helping customers assess emerging security threats and making critical operational decisions. Quantexa is providing its News Intelligence API to enable the AI news and event tool.
There are three key elements to the AI tool: sentiment analysis, which helps customers “gauge public perception and potential impact on operations;” geolocation insights, with geographically tagged news so customers can make critical operational decisions based on where events are occurring; and frequency and trend analysis, with tracking of “frequency and trends of news occurrences over time to anticipate shifts in the landscape and prepare accordingly.”
As part of introducing new security features earlier this year, MedAire added two aviation security training courses: General Aviation Security Awareness Training and Aviation Security Risk Management.
The general aviation training consists of 60to 90-minute online modules that comply with international security regulations and help operators with risk management that aligns with aviation security standards. “It will further equip them with the knowledge and skills to identify, mitigate, and respond to security threats, ensuring the safety of passengers, crew, aircraft, and assets,” according to MedAire.
For aviation security and operational
MedAire’s security operations center keeps customers informed of worldwide security risks.
personnel, MedAire’s security risk management course is available as a three-day in-person or remote training program. Topics covered include identifying, assessing, and managing aviation security risks and the skills needed “to develop methodical skills in implementing risk-based approaches, aligning with international regulations, and fostering proactive measures to mitigate threats while maintaining safe and efficient aviation operations.”
As part of its crew wellbeing program, MedAire is collaborating with OdiliaClark to bring “talk to a peer” services to Middle East- and Asia-based customers, part of an effort begun earlier this year. The service connects peer support volunteers with individuals who are facing mental healt h challenges.
The volunteers are current or former aviation professionals who have been trained in empathy, active listening, and resilience building. “This service promises an understanding and relevant support system, crucial for accessible and reliable mental health assistance,” MedAire said, and services are confidential and available 24/7.
“The wellbeing of crew and personnel goes beyond physical challenges,” said Richard Gomez, MedAire v-p of aviation products. “As an industry, we need to bridge the gap between recognizing mental health issues and actively addressing them, and we see this program as a proactive way to achieve this and further support aviation professionals around the world.”
AMAC Aerospace is now installing Starlink satellite communications systems on multiple business and VIP aircraft types.
By Charles Alcock
Business aviation services group AMAC Aerospace is diversifying the technical expertise and upgrades it provides to aircraft owners and operators. New offerings from the Swiss company include Starlink satellite communications systems and installation of Elbit’s ground-to-air missile defense technology.
AMAC is now an official distributor of SpaceX’s Starlink kit, which provides connectivity at bandwidths of up to 200 Mbps and promises low latency by using low-earth-orbit satellites to deliver more dependable online service for passengers and crew. The company said it has already completed several Starlink installations.
Elbit’s Music family of airborne laser directed infrared countermeasure selfprotection systems have attracted increased interest among VIP aircraft operators mindful of widening security threats in unstable locations. Three configurations are available: C-Music for commercial airliners and larger VIP jets; J-Music for military transports and tankers; and Mini-Music for small- and medium-sized fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.
AMAC is now an official partner of Elbit. The company offers turnkey solutions for the self-defense systems covering hardware procurement, installation, certification, and testing.
Meanwhile, AMAC’s MRO division has remained busy based on what it says has
UAS International Trip Support is moving into business aircraft sales and management to expand its services for private charter clients.
The Dubai-based group announced on Thursday that it launched a managed fleet with the arrival of a Bombardier Global Express.
The ultra-long-range jet is based at Sharjah International Airport. According to the company, a “charter boom” in the Middle East has inspired it to step up its activity in this area.
“With almost 25 years of international trip support success, as well as our in-depth regional expertise, we are perfectly placed to o er these charter solutions,” said UAS founder and executive president Mohammed Al Husary. “It’s a natural progression for us as we are acutely aware of clients’ desires and have the expertise and resources to deliver.”
UAS also o ers aircraft transactions for buyers and sellers. “It’s
been stable production rates from Airbus and Boeing. It provides everything from routine maintenance to highly customized cabin refurbishments and avionics suite modernization. According to the company, its priorities are to reduce downtime required for this work.
AMAC’s main facility is in Basel, Switzerland, with additional capacity in Zurich. It also has engineering operations at Istanbul and Bodrum in Turkey, at Auch in France where its JCB subsidiary now holds Part 145 authorization to conduct A and B checks, and offices in Riyadh and Beirut.
AMAC’s UK Gamit subsidiary offers its Records Online Asset Management document management platform to help operators manage maintenance and other tasks. z
not about just one aircraft,” he said, “but an entire business line as can be seen in the recently launched UAS Charter App that allows users to easily compare prices, charter a corporate jet, manage their reservation, and subscribe to empty leg notifications with the touch of a button.”
C.A.
C o m l u x h a s o f f i c i a l l y o p e n e d a 2 0 , 0 0 0 s q m s e r v i c e a n d m a i n t e n a n c e f a c i l i t y a t
l i g h t m a i n t e n a n c e & A O G s e r v i c e s h a n g a r a g e c a b i n d e t a i l i n g a i r c r a f t c l e a n i n g C O M L U X O P E N S A F A C I L I T Y I N D U B A I
w c @ c o m l u x . c o m
Doha-based Qatar Executive believes its Gulfstream G700 fleet gives it an edge in the air charter marketplace.
By Charles Alcock
Qatar Executive’s decision to refresh its charter fleet with the Gulfstream G700 flagship appears to have been vindicated, with the company reporting strong growth in demand since the first delivery was made in May. The Qatar Airways subsidiary now has four of the ultralong-range business jets in service, with six more to come from the launch order it placed in October 2019.
“We have seen a strong growth trend for charter services by Qatar Executive, and our market share is growing overall,” Trevor Esling, the operator’s commercial vice president, told AIN. “All our customers are seeking increased privacy, security, safety, and convenience, in addition to the unmatched personalized service that we offer.”
The company chose the G700 not only for its 7,750-nm intercontinental range, but also for the operational flexibility that Esling said allows it “to fly direct to unique destinations, using the smaller, more private airport locations that we can fly our passengers into.” In this respect, Qatar Executive is looking to complement the 170 destinations worldwide connected by its scheduled airline parent out of its hub in Doha.
According to Esling, the “fly when you want, and where you want” on-demand charter service has become a strong product differentiator
to set Qatar Airways apart from other leading airlines, including Gulf rivals such as Emirates and Etihad. Apart from the close connections between Delta Air Lines and Wheels Up, few scheduled carriers have sought to offer a private aviation option to passengers.
In October, Qatar Airways started offering reciprocal benefits between its Privilege Club loyalty program and the Qatar Executive charter services. Frequent flyers now earn four Avios points for every dollar spent on charter flights, and these can be redeemed for private jet trips, either in full or on a cash-plus-Avios-points basis.
“So far, we’ve seen strong interest from our existing and potential clients for the Privilege Club program,” Esling said. “The introduction of this initiative has been to reward our loyal clients while creating further synergies within the Qatar Airways group. We are looking forward to potentially delving deeper into this offering to ensure Qatar Executive provides a seamless and rewarding journey at every touchpoint for our clients.”
According to Esling, Qatar Executive benefits from the global infrastructure and operational bandwidth of its parent company. The Qatar Airways 258-strong fleet includes a mix of Airbus and Boeing widebodies, including the A350, A380, 777, and 787 types, as well as some
737s and A320s. The private charter fleet also includes 15 Gulfstream G650ERs, as well as a pair of Bombardier Global 5000s and an Airbus ACJ319 bizliner.
“Overall market demand has stayed at a more or less constant level since the beginning of 2024, and we see that trend continuing into 2025,” Esling concluded. “In saying this, we see many market opportunities and areas offering significant growth opportunities for Qatar Executive and we are looking forward to the year ahead.”
One of the G700s is on display this week at MEBAA Show, where Qatar Executive has a chalet adjoining the static display at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport. “The Middle East region is very important to us, and attending MEBAA this year was most certainly high on the agenda,” Esling said.
Qatar Executive received the first three of 10 G700s on order in May, and the fourth aircraft arrived a few weeks later. The operator had expected to have seven of the Rolls-Royce Pearl 700-powered twinjets in service by yearend, but its remaining six aircraft are still pending delivery from Gulfstream’s Savannah, Georgia headquarters, where supply chain and production issues have caused delays.
The aircraft can carry up to 13 passengers in four cabin zones, with sleeping accommodation for up to eight people. z
SEPTEMBER 2025
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– 2024 CALS FLIGHT DEPARTMENT ATTENDEE
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– 2024 CALS SPONSOR
By Charles Alcock
Aircraft operators face an array of potentially hazardous decisions when planning flights around the Middle East region as military conflict continues to escalate between Israel and Iran-backed forces in Lebanon, Gaza, and Yemen. In a presentation to customers before MEBAA 2024, security consultants Osprey Flight Solutions advised extreme caution, with risks to aircraft now also extending across Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
According to Matthew Borie, Osprey’s chief intelligence officer, operators need to be especially careful with their risk management in the face of conflicting advisories from various regulators. On September 28, EASA issued conflict zone information bulletins advising against using the Tel Aviv and Beirut flight information zones at all altitudes. Nonetheless, airports in both cities remain open for now.
Osprey’s briefing warned that dangers increased when Iran started a wave of ballistic missile attacks on Israel, which in some cases overwhelmed the country’s air defense system. These missiles passed through the airspace in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria, but Borie pointed out that authorities there, and in other neighboring countries, did not issue notams covering the associated risks.
“Operators need to be clear on their ability to safely land and takeoff from Beirut,” Borie cautioned, advising his clients to engage with all possible information resources including ICAO and their own regulators to ensure their flight plans do not conflict with the rapidly changing action being taken by Israel Defense Forces. He pointed out that Israeli missile strikes have hit targets as close as three kilometers from the Lebanese capital’s Rafic Hariri International Airport.
Among particular concerns are the use of all-altitude air defense systems and weapons by forces across the region, including over the Red Sea. Osprey also warned of ongoing risks
Security analysts are cautioning aircraft operators to be alert to widening and more complex security threats resulting from conflict in the Middle East.
to aircrew from GPS/GNSS interference via jamming and spoofing tactics.
Borie pointed out that official guidance from international regulators has been inconsistent in terms of the published altitude ceilings for risk, with variations between flight levels 250 and 320, which potentially gives false reassurance over the threat of all-altitude weapons. Pointing to particular risks from missiles launched from Iraq, Osprey cautioned against nighttime flights through this airspace.
Osprey advised operators to use both automated and manual methods to reconcile the safety of planned flights with regulators’ notices, assessing both regulatory and financial risks. The company provides intelligence through its Osprey Sentinel and Atlas platforms.
Assessing the potential for the conflict to escalate further and widen in scope, Osprey acknowledged the possible dangers resulting from direct attacks by Israel on targets in
Iran, including oil production facilities. Direct involvement by U.S. and other allied forces could also increase dangers and extend risk into the Gulf states, Borie told
The most innovative feet in Gulfstream history, with expert customer support anytime, anywhere.
By Cathy Buyck
Dassault Aviation’s inauguration earlier this year of a 149,500-sq-ft (13,900-sq-m) maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, embodies the strategy the French aerospace company upholds for its business jet services unit. In short, that means developing a wider global aftermarket footprint with modernized and expanded facilities to support the growing fleet and product lineup of its Falcon family.
The acquisition of the global maintenance activities of Luxaviation’s ExecuJet subsidiary and the European-based MRO activities of TAG Aviation almost six years ago cemented Dassault’s drive to command a worldwide Falcon maintenance network and bring support capability closer to customers, explained Jean Kayanakis, senior v-p of worldwide Falcon customer service and service center network at Dassault Aviation.
“A better management of the customer experience really is the number-one objective,” he told AIN . This customer- centric approach and commitment to offer one uniformly high standard of aftermarket support is “applied in all the regions,” he said.
The purchases added 17 factory-owned facilities, mainly in the Middle East, AsiaPacific, and Africa where Dassault previously had a relatively small footprint. The January 2019 acquisitions also built on the growing trend of OEMs to become de facto in-service support providers and earn more revenue through aftermarket services.
Dassault Falcon now offers factory service at 40 locations. In addition to that, it has some 20 authorized service centers worldwide.
“The objective is clearly not [for Dassault
Aviation] to be the exclusive provider of Falcon support and MRO. We still have authorized service centers where they are needed as a complement,” said Kayanakis. Last year, for example, Dassault Aviation added a second authorized service center in India, located at Indira Ghandi International Airport in New Delhi, and signed an agreement with Pro Star Aviation to provide line maintenance, installation, inspection, and aircraft on ground services for the Falcon 7X/8X and 2000EX EASy family in the Northeast U.S.
Meanwhile, an agreement with the existing authorized service center in Turkey has recently been renewed for three years.
While emphasizing the OEM will continue working with authorized service centers, Kayanakis admits the OEM prefers to keep MRO work in-house. “The commitment to provide a uniform customer experience is behind that, and customers are requesting that they can benefit from our support knowhow and suite of services,” he explained.
In the Americas, he is aiming for a 50
percent share of the Falcon aftermarket, and in the EMEA region that share has already been reached.
Kayanakis does not foresee Dassault will make further large MRO acquisitions in the short term. “The market growth right now is not [high] enough to consider an acquisition, it’s much better to develop what we’ve done,” he said, pointing out that acquiring a company is more than a financial transaction. “It is also making sure that the people start sharing our culture.”
Most of the investments will flow to modernizing and expanding existing factory-service facilities. This includes preparing them to accommodate the newest models such as the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812D-powered Falcon 6X—which entered service late last year—and the Rolls-Royce Pearl 10X-powered Falcon 10X, which is slated for service entry in 2027.
The ultra-long-range 10X will have a length of 33.4 m (109.6 feet), height of 8.4 m, and wing span of 33.6 m and feature the widest and tallest cabin of any purpose-built business jet in service today. “There’s a lot we are doing on the 10X already. Supporting an airplane as big as the 10X is a different game,” Kayanakis noted, confirming preparations are well underway. This includes ordering long-lead spares and commissioning bigger MRO buildings.
Dassault Falcon’s Subang Airport facility, for instance, includes a 9,755-sq-m hangar that can accommodate up to 15 medium and large business jets simultaneously—including the 6X and 10X. Additionally, its 15,000-sq-m ExecuJet MRO facility at Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International Airport, which opened last year, was designed to handle new ultra-large-cabin Falcons.
Despite its smaller size—3,600-sq-m—the new company-owned São Paulo facility at the recently opened Catarina International Executive Airport will be able to accommodate the Falcon 10X. Similarly, Dassault Falcon’s planned 12,000-sq-m facility in Melbourne, Florida, will service the newest Falcon models. This MRO facility is scheduled to open next year and will continue—like some other Dassault Aviation factory service centers—to provide line and base maintenance for other business jet aircraft types, not just Falcons. z
AIN Media Group is excited to announce our inaugural
March 27, 2025 | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, LA
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This event promises to be an unforgettable night of networking, recognition, and celebration among the leaders in aviation.
By Peter Shaw-Smith
While the Middle East business aviation community has traditionally made luxury and comfort a top priority, the industry there is increasingly committed to environmental sustainability, according to Mohammed Al Husary, executive president of UAS International Trip Support. The outcome of the COP28 conference in Dubai late last year demonstrated serious intent to decarbonize, he explained.
The UAE alone committed more than $840 million in investments for renewable energy, he said. His colleague and UAS CEO Omar Hosari attended the third Conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels (CAFF/3) as an observer with the International Business Aviation Council delegation.
“There has never been more active interest and action among private and business aviation stakeholders in the region in their efforts to propel us forward, Al Husary said. “Sustainable aviation will remain a high priority, and not just for the region, but globally too. Hopefully, we will be seeing more investment in biofuels production and carbon offsetting programs.”
Generally, the global aviation industry is looking to Middle East companies to spur developments in the production and distribution of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and particularly in Saudi Arabia.
“People care about the environment, regardless of where in the world they are living. But attitudes towards the level of aviation’s culpability change depending on region,” Al Husary maintained. ”I think in the Middle East, private aviation is seen more as an economic booster than an environmental drain. It supports multiple jobs and auxiliary service providers. Our industry is investing so much in sustainability that it could be argued that the business aviation community is leading the vanguard for eco-friendly travel.”
According to the UAS executive, there is unanimity on the need for the production and
distribution of SAF around the world. He would like to see regional oil companies undertake the investment in research and development required to produce SAF on a major scale, making it as affordable as possible for the end user.
“Although this is a big undertaking, they can be guaranteed that if there is accessibility and affordability, there will be massive demand. And of course, the business community will continue to make significant efforts to achieve carbon-neutral growth,” he told AIN
Al Husary believes that new airport infrastructure will be an enduring theme in 2024. The Corporate Jet Investor Dubai conference last month was abuzz with rumors about how the Dubai government’s plans for a $35 billion expansion of scheduled aviation facilities at Al Maktoum International Airport could impact business aviation. Middle East Business Aviation Association founding chairman Ali Alnaqbi said that the local business aviation hub might ultimately relocate to Dubai International Airport in future years.
“As the Middle East is a hub for business and tourism, it makes logical sense that investment in airport infrastructure and facilities is
UAS believes that through industry investment in sustainability, the business aviation community is leading the way to eco-friendly travel.
high on the agenda,” commented Al Husary. “This could even stretch as far as the introduction of artificial intelligence solutions for travel needs. With all the airports in the UAE, competition is fierce, and people will go where there is the most value for money, quality, and excellent customer service. It’s all about efficiency and connectivity.”
UAS has spent the past several years investing in its ground network across the Middle East, Africa, China, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Australia, the UK, mainland Europe, the U.S., and Latin America, as part of efforts to refine the service standards that it provides to clients all over the world.
“When it comes to ground presence in trip support solution provision, we are unrivaled globally and have plans to continue to invest in more pivotal travel and economic hubs to best support our growing international clientele,” he concluded. “We are currently focusing on making our travel offering even more dynamic. Our support doesn’t stop in the air; it continues throughout our clients’ journeys. Whatever our clients’ priorities, demands, or desires, we’re here to solve their problems and make travel simpler. We have cultivated the mindset that challenges are opportunities.” z
By: Sarah Rose and Matt Thurber
Gogo Business Aviation last week closed on its deal to aquire satellite communications hardware manufacturer and service provider Satcom Direct. Under the agreement, Satcom Direct received $375 million in cash and five million shares of Gogo stock at closing and up to an additional $225 million tied to performance thresholds over the next four years.
The move boosts Gogo into a much higher satcom orbit, adding Satcom Direct’s Plane Simple antenna and hardware product lines for geostationary (GEO) satellite networks such as Viasat and Intelsat to Gogo’s
soon-to-launch low-earth-orbit (LEO) Galileo system, which runs on Eutelsat’s OneWeb network. If anything, this acquisition gives Gogo a solid competitive edge and a full line of products, including its air-to-ground system in the U.S. and Canada, that will provide a counterbalance to competitors such as SpaceX’s Starlink LEO satcom.
Satcom Direct’s Melbourne, Florida-based SD Data Center was included in the acquisition. The company uses this data center to provide a layer of cybersecurity for data to and from customer aircraft, in addition to selling secure web server space to a broader clientele.
Satcom Direct president Chris Moore is leading the combined company, succeeding now-former chairman and CEO Oakleigh Thorne, who moved into the executive chair position. Zachary Cotner is CFO and held the same position at Satcom Direct. Mike Begler, previously senior v-p of Gogo production operations, is executive v-p and COO.
“This transaction accelerates our growth strategies of expanding our total addressable market to include the 14,000 business aircraft outside North America and delivering solutions that meet the needs of every segment of [this] market,” said Thorne. “Together, Gogo and Satcom Direct offer integrated GEO-LEO satellite solutions…along with world-class customer support.”
“Uniting the complementary strengths of Gogo and Satcom Direct marks an exciting new chapter for us as one company,” said Moore. “Together, we are uniquely positioned to deliver unparalleled in-flight connectivity solutions across the underpenetrated global business aviation and military/government mobility markets.” z
By Charles Alcock
The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has certified Aero-Dienst to provide support for locally registered aircraft as an approved maintenance organization. The Germany-based business aviation services group announced the approval on Tuesday at the MEBAA Show.
With GCAA’s CAR 145 certificate issued, Aero-Dienst intends to expand its maintenance, repair, and overhaul services in the Gulf state. Business aircraft fleet numbers and activity levels have continued to increase in both the UAE and neighboring Gulf states, it said.
Aero-Dienst now holds maintenance approvals from 11 national aviation authorities. According to Daniel Pedreiro Correia, the company’s strategic customer relations and business development manager, it expects to see increased demand to support UAE-based jets at its main Nuremberg facility, which operates 24/7.
“The CAR 145 certification underlines once again our commitment to the highest standards of quality and procedures that we provide to our customers,” Correia said.
Last week, Aero-Dienst announced a capacity expansion to handle aircraft-on-ground (AOG) responses by expanding its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) workforce. It has thus established new teams dedicated to AOG support for Bombardier and Dassault Falcon business jets, with each staffed by a pair of specialist technicians.
The new AOG responders work independently of scheduled daily MRO work at Aero-Dienst’s Nuremberg headquarters, allowing them to stay focused on the most pressing needs of customers. During spikes in demand from operators needing immediate support, the new teams can call on colleagues for backup.
In AOG incidents, operators make direct contact with these technicians, who are authorized to make decisions about how support will be provided quickly. The AOG teams are backed
up by Aero-Dienst’s other departments, including travel management, maintenance planning, purchasing, and customer care.
“Deploying standalone AOG teams represents a win-win situation both for our customers in AOG cases and for planned downtimes in hangars,” said Florian Heinzelmann, Aero-Dienst’s head of maintenance. “This gives us a high degree of flexibility, and, at the same time, the required stability and long-term planning efficiency in basic
maintenance because there is no need to remove staff for AOG cases at short notice.”
Aero-Dienst was founded in 1958 and also operates MRO bases at Vienna and Klagenfurt in Austria and at Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich, as well as a component repair shop at Landsberg am Lech in Germany. The company provides MRO services for business aircraft operators in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and has dispatched AOG technicians as far afield as South Korea and the Bahamas. z
With its opening set for mid-2025, Gama Aviation’s 20-acre leasehold at the UAE’s Sharjah International Airport will feature a luxurious general aviation terminal, spacious hangar, and more than 36,000-sq-ft of ramp space.
By Curt Epstein
Construction of Gama Aviation’s new FBO at the UAE’s Sharjah International Airport (OMSJ) is progressing, with its opening expected by mid-2025. The company is about to complete the dedicated taxiway connection to its 36,000-sq-m (387,500-sq-ft) ramp and has finished the terminal and hangar foundations as it prepares to put steel in the ground for the start of construction on the buildings.
“It feels like a big milestone for us,” said Tom Murphy, managing director of the facility, as well as Gama’s two UK locations. “We’re building up now rather than cement going down.”
For more than a decade, Gama has been providing aviation services at OMSJ from an existing structure that the company has now outgrown. That will be remedied with the opening of the new 2,000-sq-m (21,500-sq-ft) two-story terminal next year.
“From a terminal and lounge perspective, we’ll probably be about four times bigger from a footprint point of view,” Murphy told AIN. “That will also enable us to facilitate our regional corporate office, our charter teams, our account managers, our aircraft management team, our CAMO [Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization] team, finance, and human resources all under one roof, whereas, at the moment, we are separated a little.”
For passengers, the building will have three distinct areas: the luxurious central lounge; a quiet, more discreet relaxation area; and a raised food and beverage area overlooking the ramp. There will also be a crew area with rest pods and dedicated client office space, all within walking distance of the aircraft waiting on the ramp.
In addition, Gama’s 20-acre Sharjah leasehold will receive its own 14,000-sq-m (150,700-sq-ft) climate-controlled hangar— one of the largest in the region. It will be capable of sheltering bizliners and eliminate Gama’s reliance on securing hangar space from third-party operators.
That will allow the company to increase its aircraft storage and maintenance capabilities, and it has already added four additional
maintenance technicians to its staff in anticipation of the ramp-up. Additionally, the company plans to introduce a mobile service team based at the new MRO facility. Gama also has access to all the UAE airports and intends to offer AOG services across the region—similar to what the business aviation services firm provides operators in the UK from its Glasgow and Isle of Jersey locations.
At Sharjah, Gama offers line maintenance for Bombardier Globals and Challengers, as well as for the Gulfstream G650. In addition, it recently opened a line maintenance facility at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW). With the company’s UK facilities recently receiving approved service designation from Embraer, it hopes to bring that capability to its Middle East locations as well. z
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four-passenger Midnight aircraft. The emirate has established the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industries cluster to act as a magnet for AAM investment.
An agreement signed in April calls for the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to commit several hundred million dollars to lay the groundwork for air taxi services operated by Archer’s local affiliates Falcon Aviation and Air Chateau. According to Archer’s third quarter letter to investors published on November 7, commercial flights will begin in Abu Dhabi in fourth-quarter 2025. Just over a year ago, Air Chateau, which operates heliports in the UAE, signed an agreement covering the purchase of 100 Midnight aircraft worth $500 million.
Last month, Archer stepped up efforts to get established in the Gulf, appointing Talib Alhinai as its UAE Lead. Alhinai previously served with the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, which reports to the emirate’s Executive Council. He will continue to serve as a board director of the UAE’s General Aviation Authority.
Joby has its own memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport. This covers possible air-taxi operations in the emirate and other undisclosed locations.
China’s EHang inked an agreement with ADIO calling for a strategic collaboration in support of commercial operations with its two-seat autonomous EH216-S eVTOL. The company has also established its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
In May, the Multi-Level Group, a financial technology subsidiary of Ethmar International Holding (EHI) and ADIO, confirmed they are supporting EHang’s efforts to enter the Gulf market. EHI subsidiary Wings Logistics Hub intends to buy up to 100 EH216-Ss. European companies such as Lilium are also working to get traction in the Middle East AAM sector. The German company, currently operating under insolvency administration, is represented in the region by its exclusive sales representative, ArcosJet, which has been involved in business aircraft sales since 2014. Also in the UAE, express delivery group UPS is preparing to experiment with electric aircraft through an agreement with U.S. company Beta Technologies. Last year, the UAE
Regulations Lab granted the U.S.-based carrier a temporary license to start trial operations with Beta’s Alia 250 aircraft.
Among the 780 provisional sales agreeents Lilium has reported for its six-passenger eVTOL are 50 orders and 50 options placed by Saudia. The Saudi Arabian flag carrier plans to operate the Lilium Jet on routes of up to about 95 nm for services that could include carrying visitors for the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages.
Another German manufacturer, Volocopter, also has its sights set on Saudi Arabia, where futuristic projects such as the Neom “smart city” development on the country’s Red Sea coast are expected to include AAM services. In June 2023, Volocopter flew a technology demonstrator for its two-seat VoloCity eVTOL at a government-backed event.
In May, both Joby and Embraer spin-off Eve Air Mobility launched new partnerships in Saudi Arabia, covering aircraft sales and support arrangements. Saudi government officials have repeatedly signaled their enthusiasm to facilitate AAM development to match initiatives of their Gulf state neighbors.
Aloula Aviation, a subsidiary of oil and gas giant Saudi Aramco, signed an MoU covering an unspecified number of Joby aircraft. The company, which already operates 55 aircraft at 13 airports and has a network of more than 300 helipads, also agreed to act as an intermediary with the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation to support efforts for Joby to achieve local type certification and other approvals.
Also during the recent Future Aviation Forum in Saudi capital Riyadh, Eve signed an agreement under which Saudia Technic could provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul support for its four-passenger eVTOL. Eve is exploring the possibility of Saudia reassembling aircraft for the local market.
In October, the FAA released the longawaited special federal aviation regulation covering operational and pilot certification requirements for eVTOL aircraft. The Gulf states generally rubber-stamp FAA certification requirements for aircraft. What remains to be seen is whether authorities in the region may be willing to show some latitude over operational rules to fast-track early use cases. z
11:45 - 11:50 Chair Opening Remarks
11:50 - 12:05 Keynote: Finding the value in the market – UAE and MENA perspective
Explore the reasons behind the growth of business aviation in the region, with a particular focus on sustainability from a UAE and Middle Eastern perspective. What are the unique factors and opportunities that drive this dynamic market?
12:05 - 12:40 Panel: A multi-stakeholder approach – Defining the region & strategies for a sustainable edge in bizav
Executives from the business aviation industry convene for a strategic discussion on navigating the evolving landscape and customer preferences. This session dives deep into MENA region trends, aircraft operated, regulations and infrastructure, key opportunities for growth, critical factors for the future of bizav and explores actionable strategies to overcome challenges facing the industry. The critical roles of various stakeholders achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will also be analyzed.
12:40 - 13:00 Reserved for Falcon Aviation
13:00 - 13:35 Regional dynamics: The rise of Saudi Arabia – Exploring the boom and opportunities
What’s driving the boom in Saudi business aviation? How does Saudi Arabia see the future of general aviation? What role is regulation playing in infrastructure development? What exciting possibilities are unfolding in the sector, including eVTOL and advanced air mobility? How are regulations evolving to facilitate business operations? Potential hurdles like maintenance concerns and service quality, along with strategies to overcome them will be discussed.
13:35 - 14:10 NMI Engineering – The world’s first medical aviation hub
14:10 - 14:45 Panel: What’s next for VVIP business jets? Anticipating future trends in customization
Analyze the evolving needs and desires of bizav clientele including the Middle East’s VVIP segment. Discover strategies for developing aircraft configurations, amenities, and services that resonate with new buyers in the region.
14:45 - 15:20 Panel: Making smart choices in business aircraft ownership
15:20 - 15:25 Closing remarks MEBAA Agenda | Day 1
Explore e ective collaboration models between completion centers and OEMs to cater to the specific demands of emerging markets.
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