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DAY 2
MEBAA CONVENTION NEWS
DECEMBER 11, 2024
Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed (center) discusses plans for the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub here at Al Maktoum International Airport during the royal tour of MEBAA 2024 yesterday morning.
DASSAULT LANDS FALCON ORDER
By Matt Thurber
Dubai-based IC Leasing inked a deal for a second Dassault Falcon 2000LXS on Tuesday afternoon at MEBAA 2024. Delivery is set for second-quarter 2025 and will bring the company’s Falcon 2000 portfolio to three jets. DC Aviation will operate the jet and off it for charter trips from its base in Stuttgart, Germany.
IC Leasing offers a lease-to-purchase program to help buyers minimize the capital investment needed to buy a new jet. The program requires no down payment, just fixed monthly payments and a fixed purchase price scheduled at a future date.
“As users and operators strive for operational and cost efficiency, they increasingly require flexible financial solutions,” said IC Leasing founder Khader Mattar. “IC Leasing is committed to providing adaptive, creative financing solutions that not only streamline the process but also address challenges faced by our clients.
“I’m very excited to see us choosing the 2000LXS for our clients,” he said.
“The Falcon 2000 remains a fantastic airplane,” said Carlos Brana, Dassault executive v-p civil aircraft. “It’s well-known as a great platform, very competitive and fuel efficient.” z
OEMs
Bizliner sales soar
Airbus Corporate Jets says 2024 will be its best year ever for VIP narrowbodies | 04
FBOs
New Dubai facility
ExecuJet officially opens luxurious FBO at Dubai Al Maktoum Airport | 06
CHARTER
Broker takes flight MD Aviation launches air charter broker and consultancy services in Egypt and Jordan | 14
SUSTAINABILITY
Saudi SAF deal
TotalEnergies and Aramco sign agreement for jet biofuel development | 19 alerts
Happy Design scores with footballer’s jet
By: Matt Thurber
Football star Christiano Ronaldo liked the livery of his newly purchased Global Express XRS so much that he kept the paint job designed by Happy Design Studio and added just his initials and silhouette next to the cabin door to personalize the unusual paint job.
“He chose that one because it’s ultravisible,” said Didier Wolff, founder of Happy Design Studio. “I assume he wants to share an aspect of his personality and doesn’t want to hide his travel on his private jet.”
With a focus on design and creation of custom liveries for private, commercial, and military aircraft, Happy Design Studio also oversees paint work of its clients’ aircraft in the shops that they select, “always with the goal of achieving bespoke, premium aesthetics,” the company said. “Each project is conceived as a unique work of art, combining visual harmony, modernity, and meticulous detail.”
At MEBAA 2024, Wolff is highlighting the Ronaldo livery, as well as a unique concept based on the famous GM Futurliner, described as “an avante-garde bus,” for which General Motors designer Harley Earl was the project director. Earl later became the father of the iconic Corvette.
Wolff’s concept, adapted to a Bombardier Global 7500, pays tribute to the art deco exterior styling of the Futurliner, conceived by designer Robert E. Bingman and featuring streamlining inspired by the Airstream trailer from the 1930s. “The designers were also inspired by the Boeing Flying Fortress bomber, introduced in 1935, and included a Plexiglas dome for the cabin,” he said.
“The design fits well [on the global 7500],” Wolff said. “This is a design concept and is a way to attract customers. This is a red-andwhite bait. I think if it’s a beautiful livery design, it will be first to sell. Some owners don’t vote for discretion; they want to be visible.” z
Christiano Ronaldo kept the livery when he bought this Bombardier Global
and added his initials and silhouette.
Saudi now offering annual permits for private aircraft
Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) has announced a new directive approving annual permits for private aircraft owners. The permits apply to domestic or international aircraft used for personal, non-commercial purposes, provided they meet the approved requirements. They are expected to reduce bureaucracy.
Before the measure was introduced, private operators were obliged to obtain individual permits for each flight. GACA said the initiative would complement existing individual flight permits, allowing private aircraft owners to travel to, from, and within the country more easily without needing a separate permit for each flight.
One industry executive speaking with AIN on condition of anonymity said he understood that the authority was trying to promote aviation in Saudi Arabia but argued the approach was not the way to go about it. “This will simply promote the gray [charter] market in the Kingdom,” he said.
Although an operator certificate (GACA Part 125) for private operations— similar to FAA Part 91—prohibits revenueearning flights on private aircraft, the reality is that GACA often has a di cult job policing passengers. According to the industry source, Part 125 operators illegally carrying passengers for hire often simply say the equivalent of “this is my friend” in cases where investigations are conducted.
Meanwhile, several operators are calling for smaller aircraft to cater to the charter market, especially in the domestic setting. The General Aviation Roadmap, launched earlier this year, aims to prioritize the growth of private operations based in the Saudi Arabia and streamline procedural requirements. P.S.-S.
Happy Design Studio founder Didier Wolff created this homage to the General Motors Futurliner on a conceptual Bombardier Global 7500.
XRS business jet
Farther: 7,750 nm/14,353 km1
Faster: Mach 0.9352
Airbus Corp Jets poised for record year in ’24
By Peter Shaw-Smith
Airbus Corporate Jets could see its best sales performance in 17 years, with a total of eight orders and three commitments for its aircraft expected to lead to a best-ever full-year showing, the European manufacturer said at MEBAA 2024 on Monday.
“This year, we are at 11 orders and commitments. If they translate into firm orders by the end of the year, that will put us on track for a record [over the past] 17 years,” said Chadi Saade, who was appointed president of Airbus Corporate Jets in February. “This is an amazing achievement and great
recognition from the market for Airbus and its products.”
However, given current market dynamics, the lead time to get an ACJ into service is anywhere between 2.5 and five years. “Actually, the trend is more into the four- to fiveyear [range] because of the demand,” Saade explained. “If any of these customers wants
Comlux opens Dubai mx and service center
Comlux o cially opened its new aircraft maintenance and service center at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport on Tuesday.
The 20,000-sq-m (215,000-sq-ft) facility encompasses an air-conditioned hangar, several floors of o ce and work space, and a 15,000sq-m apron, serving as the business aviation services group’s Middle East headquarters.
The ground floor houses spare parts stores and workshops, while the first and second floors are dedicated to commercial and management o cers, as well as a VIP area and design show room that includes a full-scale mockup of an Airbus ACJ Two Twenty.
Its hangar is large enough to accommodate an ACJ and a Boeing BBJ at the same time, or a mix of smaller jets. The project has taken several years to complete through a
partnership between Comlux and the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH).
According to Switzerland-based Comlux, the Dubai center will improve its ability to support aircraft owners and operators across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. The facility will complement the group’s Comlux Completion operation in the U.S.
Comlux Completion is an exclusive partner with Airbus for completing the first 17 ACJ Two Twentys. It is also an ACJ service center and a Boeing BBJ-authorized repair facility.
“The opening of Comlux’s facility is an added-value to the services we provide at MBRAH and reflects our commitment to attracting leading global companies and drive innovation in the aviation industry,” said MBRAH’s CEO, Tahnoon Saif. C.A.
to replace an aircraft before it reaches 20 years old, it’s now that they need to make the decision.”
Strong traffic movements in the region have led to 30 percent growth in Middle East departures between 2019-23, Saade stated, citing aviation industry data provider WingX.
The Middle East is Airbus Corporate Jets’ most important region in the world, and Saade himself originally comes from Lebanon. He said there were a total of around 60 ACJs in the Middle East—of which around 20 are ACJ340s or ACJ330s. The region is the world’s leading arena for bizliners, with one third of the total global fleet, or 130 out of a total of 420 in-service ACJs and BBJs.
“What I can tell you is that our portfolio is divided quite evenly between governments, individuals, and corporates,” he told AIN. “And it’s also the same here in the Middle East.”
Almost 50%, or 130 out of a total of 270 of the large jets in the region are ACJs— including the ACJ330neo and the ACJ350— or equivalents. The rest are ultra-long-range Gulfstream, Dassault, or Bombardier jets.
Airbus is honing its edge, as 110 of its large jets in the Middle East are aged 15 years or older, representing 40 percent of the fleet, and meaning that the region’s aging business jet base is poised for renewal. “We see strong sales potential in the region,” Saade said. z
Some 60 Airbus Corporate Jets are based in the Middle East, including two ACJ TwoTwentys.
ExecuJet inaugurates Dubai private terminal
By Charles Alcock
ExecuJet Middle East officially opened its private terminal at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport yesterday. The three-floor FBO facility has taken four years to build, with the business aviation services group making a substantial investment to provide a higher level of service to business jet passengers and crew.
According to the group’s regional FBO director, Dumani Ndebele, the terminal’s design was based on extensive consultation with clients to better understand their needs. “We wanted extend the experience of traveling through FBOs,” he told AIN. “At regular FBOs, the approach is generally that customers want to get in and out as quickly as possible, but we’ve found that clients sometimes want to arrive a bit earlier and spend more time with us.”
On the first floor of the ExecuJet terminal travelers will find an open seating area, as well as private lounges and a Majlis area offering authentic Arabic hospitality. Ndebele said the layout is intended to provide appropriate spaces for people waiting to greet arriving passengers, as well as private rooms for meetings.
The facility also features a commercial kitchen that can provide hot or cold meals. ExecuJet is ramping up the catering service to provide food that aircrew can take with them directly from the FBO.
Ndebele explained that the second floor is intended mainly for relaxation and therapy with a spa offering massages, as well as a sauna and a salt wall. Also on this level is an exclusive suite for groups of royal travelers and separate suites that can be used by crews as an alternative to making the lengthy trip into the center of Dubai to stay in a hotel.
“This is already proving very popular with charter operators as a bed and breakfast service,” Ndebele said. “Last week, we helped a crew who had a technical issue with an aircraft and initially had a four-hour delay before having their departure delayed by another eight hours.”
The third floor of the terminal features a cocktail bar and cigar lounge. These amenities, as well as the spa, are run independently with clients billed for these services separately from handling charges that include complimentary use of the main arrival and departure area.
Immediately adjoining the terminal, ExecuJet has 27,000 sq m (291,000 sq ft) of apron space for the exclusive use of its customers’ aircraft, as well as 7,000 sq m of hangar space. Customs and immigration services are available in the terminal building, which is located close to a maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility that supports Bombardier, Dassault, and Embraer aircraft.
People Skills Prioritized
To recruit staff with exceptional customer service skills, ExecuJet has turned to Dubai’s extensive hospitality sector, recruiting a senior manager from the Four Seasons hotel group to lead this part of the team.
Dubai is now a very competitive market for private aviation support services, with multiple FBO options at both Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW) and Dubai International Airport (OMDB). ExecuJet has facilities at both locations and operates a fleet of 14 managed aircraft, with three of these— an Embraer Lineage 1000, Bombardier Global 5000, and a BBJ2—available for charter.
“There is strong competition, and each FBO brings something a bit different,” Ndebele said. “We pride ourselves that clients can come in and have a very personal experience, including private areas where they can spend time without being seen by others.”
According to Ndebele, 70% of Dubai’s business aviation traffic now operates out of OMDW, where the MEBAA Show is being held this week. These days, OMDB is mainly used for charter flights or by private aircraft owners with their own facilities at the Emirate’s original airport.
In the 12 years he has worked in Dubai, Ndebele has seen a lot of change with people from very different backgrounds flocking to live in the Emirate. In his view, this, along with younger people starting to use private aviation, explains some of the shifts in customer service
“Our focus is to get closer to clients, and have good relationships with everyone, including those meeting passengers, including drivers, and families with kids,” Ndebele explained. “Whether you work in operations or are front-of-house, we need you to be a people person, good at engaging with anyone. We take a lot of time to recruit staff and have a great retention rate and ongoing training.”
ExecuJet
Middle East’s new private terminal brings a higher level of service to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai.
preferences that ExecuJet is trying to meet.
“When I started here it felt that most of the flights were for business or transactional purposes, but now we’re seeing more leisure flights, more charter aircraft based in Dubai, and more people who exclusively fly privately,” Ndebele said. “The changing demographics have changed expectations, and this new facility was designed to respond to these changes.” z
UAE prosperity drives fleet growth
By Charles Alcock
Over the past 12 months, Empire Aviation has added four aircraft to a managed fleet now consisting of 25 business jets. Last week, the Dubai-based company also announced plans to develop a new facility next to the main VIP terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport.
According to Empire, it is seeing growing demand for aircraft management, charter, and sales services, in addition to its work as a continuous airworthiness management organization. Around one-third of its managed fleet is now available for charter.
Recent fleet additions include an ultralong-range Gulfstream G600 based in Dubai, a large-cabin Bombardier Chal -
Paras Dhamecha,
founder and managing director of Empire Aviation, said 2024 has proved to be a good year for the business aircraft operator.
lenger 604 operating out of Africa, and a large-cabin Dassault Falcon 2000 in India. An Airbus Corporate Jet is about to be added as well.
The new operating base will be within the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub at the Dubai South site. According to Empire founder and managing director Paras Dhamecha, while the company operates worldwide it views the UAE as being its foundation in terms of a regulatory framework and a network of key partners.
In addition to its UAE air operator certificate, the company holds the same approval from authorities in San Marino,
and it operates aircraft in the U.S., Europe, India, Africa, and Indonesia, in addition to the Middle East. It employs 130 people to deliver the various services it provides for aircraft owners and charter clients.
According to Dhamecha, growth and expansion of wealth in the UAE and surrounding Gulf states has driven investment in “world-class” infrastructure to support business aviation.
“2024 has been an exceptional year
for Empire Aviation, and we see exciting times ahead both for the Middle East and other markets, where we have several new projects in the pipeline,” he said. “We see sustained international interest in all our services from various sectors, including individuals and families, corporates, and government entities.”
Empire Aviation is also an authorized independent sales representative for Gulfstream business jets in India. z
Qatar Executive selects MedAire360
By Matt Thurber
The Qatar Executive charter fleet, including its Gulfstream G700s, has integrated the MedAire360 medical and security solution. With both medical expertise and security intelligence, MedAire360 helps aircraft operators provide a safe travel experience for customers.
MedAire’s Aviation Security Portal provides advanced medical diagnostics while aircraft are in flight and its security insights enable Qatar Executive to protect passengers and crew traveling to potentially risky regions.
“Our security platform provides Qatar Executive with the actionable intelligence necessary for optimal passenger safety,” said Hany Bakr, director of aviation security at MedAire. “The tools within our Aviation Security Portal exemplify our commitment to providing invaluable resources for protecting passengers and crew throughout their journey.”
MedAire has also partnered with Abu Dhabibased RoyalJet to equip its aircraft with the MedAire Digital Assessment Kit. Flight crew can use the kit’s diagnostic tools and connect to MedAire’s global medical network to enhance
passenger safety during medical events.
“The Digital Assessment Kit has received high praise for its cutting-edge technology and compact design, enabling easy implementation and use within the cabin environment. This innovative toolkit enhances RoyalJet’s commitment to delivering tailored services and memorable travel experiences,” said Paulo Alves, global medical director of aviation health at MedAire.
“By equipping crewmembers with this advanced medical technology, the partnership ensures that passengers and crew have immediate access to crucial diagnostic tools and MedAire’s expansive global medical network.”z
The MedAire360 medical and security solution enables quick response while airborne. .
INTRODUCING CALS EUROPE
SEPTEMBER 2025
“The AIN CALS event has been a refreshing experience for leaders within the corporate aviation community and the vendors that support their businesses. 100% engagement for 2.5 days. Truly a working event that leaves us all a bit tired but very enthused!”
– 2024 CALS FLIGHT DEPARTMENT ATTENDEE
“The AIN CALS event provides excellent opportunities for high level interaction between vendors and clients. The one-on-one time and small group sessions are very valuable settings.”
– 2024 CALS SPONSOR
Middle East is hallowed ground for Lufthansa Tech
By Peter Shaw-Smith
Appointed v-p of sales for VIP and special aircraft services at Lufthansa Technik (LHT) in August, Fabian Nagel is well into the process of mastering a complex technical brief. A special focus on a unique part of the world for private aviation—the Middle East—is key to success in the job.
LHT looks at trends these customers watch: yachts, cars, luxury hotels, and private residences. “In the end, that all ends up in the airplane,” Nagel told AIN. “We’ve had relationships with almost all our Middle East clients for 20 to 30 years. We know them and they know us. I would say personal relationships are very good.”
Nagel has almost 10 years of prior experience dealing with Middle Eastern customers in product sales and aftermarket components. Most VIP customers have a component contract with LHT. He now interacts with them regarding not only the cabin but also the aircraft’s technical systems.
Two years ago, the company decided to focus on larger aircraft. It has a good deal of engineering and operational expertise on the Boeing 747-8, where Lufthansa is one of very few operators. “It is a very nice aircraft, but
it’s also technically challenging as it’s not the world’s newest plane,” Nagel said.
He sees a move away from B747 and Airbus A340 bizliners. “We expect operators to invest in new aircraft as the older aircraft no longer offer MRO support,” he said. “Today, it’s the B787s or A350s.”
Commercial versions of the B777, A350, and A330neo are all coming to the VIP market. “Next up is the B777X. It’s going to be a great aircraft,” Nagel said.
Commercial service entry for this widebody airplane is currently projected in 2026. “VIP customers are hesitant to buy it,” he said. “They want to see more of the type in service and still regard it as a test aircraft.”
Delays to the 777X program were not a problem, given LHT’s flexibility. It can usually complete two widebodies and two narrowbodies at a time, or just several narrowbodies. Demand for the A320—both ceo and neo—and B737-based BBJs—both NG and Max—is said to be huge. Although very Middle East-centered in the VIP role, widebodies exist throughout the world as mostly head-ofstate, special mission, and medevac aircraft.
“Owners in Asia now have A350s; there’s the stock of the Air Force Ones in the U.S., but the widebody market is really in the Middle
East, where our customers are all widebody owners,” Nagel noted.
Compared to corporate A320s or European head-of-state aircraft, he sees Middle East aircraft as much more elegant. In contrast, German government widebody aircraft—while refined—are more focused on functionality due to accountability office involvement.
“The nice thing about the Middle East is that all our customers are different, with a unique heritage—and unique expectations,” he said. “Owners can be very demanding, looking to modernize the aircraft, associated products, comforts, and on-board activities. Customer tastes are changing. Designs are modernizing but remain heavily reliant on tradition.”
Elegance, advanced surface materials, and very individual complex designs are the hallmarks of Middle East aircraft. Asian businesses—technology concerns, mobile phone companies, or car manufacturers—operate corporate jets with more pragmatic designs. “Middle East aircraft are the finest and most well-designed—super high-end,” Nagel said.
While these customers embrace their Arab heritage, they’re also very open to tech gadgets and, as drivers of innovation and in-flight entertainment, invest in the kind of products a commercial airliner will not see for at least the next decade.
“What I like about the region is that they are very tradition-oriented—local colors, graphics and schematics, ornaments that are radically inspired and then merged with the latest technology,” he said. “As a European, you get a glimpse of a region we don’t usually [see]. They use tradition to create a plane that substantially differs from U.S. or Asian models.”
Nagel said Celestial Star, LHT’s VIP design for the BBJ777-9, was still a rendering but came closest to revealing what Middle Eastern VIP and government cabins looked like. “It doesn’t exist yet,” he said.
“It is the starting point for the discussion— then you customize. Middle East customers don’t buy off the shelf. We can customize any request: that’s the general rule. Every single plane in the Middle East is highly customized.”
Nagel always wanted to come back to this side of the business and saw it as a great opportunity. “I’m really looking forward to it,” he concluded. z
Lufthansa Technik’s CelestialStar Boeing 777-9 interior design concept.
SCHEDULERS & DISPATCHERS CONFERENCE
March 25–27, 2025 • New Orleans, LA
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Honeywell predicts growth for bizjets
By Curt Epstein
Honeywell Aerospace’s latest forecast calls for the delivery of 8,500 new business jets worth $280 billion over the next decade, according to the U.S.-based engine and avionics maker’s 33rd annual Global Business Aviation Outlook.
The number of jet deliveries it expects in the 2032/2033 timeframe remains unchanged from last year’s prognostication, reaching the 900-per-year unit plateau for the first time since 2008. However, the value has increased slightly.
To gather its results for the 10-year forecast, Honeywell surveyed 375 non-fractional operators representing 1,488 business aircraft worldwide. For the first half of the decade, purchase plans remained on par with those reported in last year’s survey, indicating demand for new aircraft is stabilizing above pre-pandemic levels.
The survey anticipates that large-cabin jets will account for one-third of the delivery total and two-thirds of the revenue value over the next five years.
“The business aviation industry is in a prolonged period of healthy growth, and we don’t see that positive trend changing any time soon,” said Heath Patrick, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies president for the Americas aftermarket. “Business aviation continues to see more users and, as a result, manufacturers are ramping up production to keep pace with growing demand, a trend we expect to continue for the foreseeable future.”
For 2025, the forecast calls for deliveries to increase to 840 business jets—a 12% rise from this year’s anticipated total of 750 aircraft.
“We were a little hampered between 2020 and 2023 because of supply-chain constraints,” added Kevin Schwab, a systems engineer with Honeywell and lead analyst on this year’s survey. “We’re seeing some improvements in the supply chain, and that is enabling the OEMs to have these production rate increases.” Next year, the company predicts 16% more business jet deliveries than in pre-Covid 2019.
In terms of where those aircraft will go over the next half-decade, North America is expected
to receive two-thirds of the total, followed by 13% to Europe, 10% to Latin America, 7% to Asia-Pacific, and the remaining 3% to the Middle East.
The survey asked operators about their anticipated flight activity in 2025, and an overwhelming 90% indicated they expected to fly the same or more than they did this year, echoing last year’s results and indicating continued optimism in the post-Covid period.
“The reduction in barriers to access business aviation in recent years, driven by the introduction of new shared access models, has enabled a persistent flow of new customers opting for business aviation alternatives for their travel needs,” the report stated.
New to this year’s survey, Honeywell asked operators to rank their aircraft purchase drivers for the first time. “We had 37 different individual drivers of purchase decisions, and we bucketed those into six different categories,” explained Schwab.
“About 82% of the operators said that performance is in their top three priorities when they go to buy a new jet, and 60% said that
cost was in their top three,” Schwab added. Range was the overall individual purchase driver, according to the respondents, followed by direct operating cost, maximum payload, field performance, and speed.
While the preowned aircraft market has cooled somewhat since the record low inventories of 2021 and 2022, Honeywell noted used jet values remain strong compared with those of the previous decade. The report predicts that while the inventory should continue to slowly rise, prices should remain stable. Operators in the survey noted they expect to rely more heavily on the preowned market to expand their fleets than in previous years.
Sustainability was another topic touched on by the survey this year, with 85% indicating they view the acquisition of new, more fuelefficient aircraft as the most effective method to reduce environmental impact.
Among those respondents who indicated they are proactively looking to reduce their carbon footprint, 55% said the use of
sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) figures into their e ff orts. When the survey respondents were asked what they viewed as the top hurdles to industry adoption of SAF, cost was the most mentioned, followed by availability.
Schwab told AIN he was surprised by
operators still citing risks to aircraft reliability, lack of environmental impact, and lack of awareness as hurdles. While those weren’t at the top of the list, he suggested that there is still a great need for further industry education on the use and benefits of SAF. z
Honeywell sees dip in bizjet demand for Middle East and Africa
The Middle East and Africa (MEA) are expected to represent a declining share of projected new business jet deliveries, according to Honeywell Aerospace’s latest Global Business Aviation Outlook. The report, published in October, showed the region representing just 3% of worldwide demand, which was half the 6% market share envisioned by the company’s 2023 report.
Honeywell’s researchers concluded that North America will account for two-thirds of new jet deliveries between now and 2029, marking a 2% uptick since the 64% tally recorded last year. Latin America is expected to double its share, rising from 5% to 10%, but like the Middle East the Asia-Pacific region (7%) and Europe (13%) are set for decline.
The MEA region’s business aircraft fleet has contracted slightly since 2021 and 2022, but, according to Honeywell, has outpaced global growth rates in 2023 and 2024. Of 832 aircraft in the region, 54% are operated out of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria and South
Africa. The company sees further expansion of demand for new-production aircraft driven by the prevalence of high-net-worth individuals in this part of the world.
Conflicts Stifle Flight Activity
While global flight hours were reported to be 1.5% lower year-on-year, this year the MEA region has seen a 13% dip, which Honeywell attributed to the fallout from regional conflicts. Honeywell’s data team told AIN it believes worldwide flight activity decline in 2024 is a part of a reset trend following the exceptional post-Covid spike in 2022. While it expects a return to growth in 2025, it acknowledged that continued conflict could undermine that trend.
The latest forecast calls for the delivery of 8,500 new-production business jets worth $280 billion over the next decade. In the 2032/2033 timeframe, the number of jet deliveries the avionics and aircraft engines manufacturer expects remains unchanged
from last year’s prognostication, reaching the 900-per-year unit plateau for the first time since 2008.
To gather its results for the 10-year forecast, Honeywell surveyed 375 non-fractional operators representing 1,488 business aircraft worldwide. For the first half of the decade, purchase plans remained on par with those reported in last year’s survey, indicating that demand for new aircraft is stabilizing above pre-pandemic levels.
The survey anticipates that large-cabin jets will account for one-third of the delivery total and two-thirds of the revenue value over the next five years. For 2025, the forecast calls for deliveries to increase by 12% over this year’s anticipated total of 750 jets.
When operators were asked about their anticipated flight activity in 2025, an overwhelming 90% indicated that they expected to fly the same or more than they did this year, echoing last year’s results and indicating continued optimism in the post-Covid period. C.A.
MD Aviation launches in Egypt and Jordan
By Peter Shaw-Smith
Charter broker and aviation consulting outfit
MD Aviation has launched operations in Egypt and Jordan as the market for private aviation broadens and charter demand steadily increases in the Levant, the Gulf, and North Africa. The company was established in late 2023 by two experienced business aviation specialists, Jordanians Manal Obeid and Dima Elayyan, each with around two decades of experience.
“We are optimistic about the next 12 months, especially with the upcoming holiday season expected to drive growth in the charter market,” Elayyan told AIN. “As the region begins to stabilize after a period of unrest, we anticipate an uptick in demand for aviation services.”
MD Aviation offers private charters and air ambulance solutions, aircraft sales and leasing options, aircraft management and consultancy services, and concierge services.
“In addition to our core offerings, we are expanding our focus on consultancy services, with several exciting projects on the horizon,” she said. “These include aircraft management supervision and other specialized aviation ventures. We are also looking forward to announcing new collaborations and business initiatives in the near future.”
MD Aviation specializes in consultation services, offering insights on fleet management, aircraft acquisition, charter services, and market intelligence. The company said its commitment to transparency fosters trust and empowers clients with the knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the market.
“MEBAA offers a valuable opportunity to engage with key industry leaders, explore the latest innovations from aircraft manufacturers, aircraft leasing companies, and aircraft operators, and stay updated on trends that shape the future of aviation,” she said. “It’s an
ExecuJet signs MOU for local paint services at Satys Aerospace
Dassault Aviation’s ExecuJet MRO Services Middle East has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Satys Aerospace, which is building a dedicated aircraft paint facility at Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai South. Under the MOU, Satys will o er painting services
jet services market.
ideal platform to network, share insights, and strengthen partnerships within the sector.”
MD Aviation’s activities underscore the growing role of women in Middle East’s business aviation. “Women in this industry not only excel but also support and empower one another,” Elayyan said. “Aviation demands a keen eye for detail, meticulous planning, and the ability to multitask—qualities that women naturally bring.”
Obeid is based in Jordan and Elayyan in Egypt. “Our strategic positioning allows each of us to focus on different markets, ensuring that we are attuned to the unique needs and opportunities in both regions,” she said. z
for ExecuJet customers after the facility opens in the first quarter of 2025. Satys and Dassault Aviation will also explore joint marketing opportunities, and ExecuJet will be able to o er Satys’ painting services for operators of Dassault, Bombardier, Embraer, and Hawker business jets. In addition to MRO work, the ExecuJet facility o ers cabin refurbishments and manages and provides oversight for livery projects.
“Until now, aircraft livery work has typically been sent to Europe, but with the opening of Satys’ dedicated facility in Dubai, we have identified a trusted local partner to keep this work in the region, with associated positive environmental impact,” said Nick Weber, regional v-p Middle East at ExecuJet MRO Services. “This will further enhance Dubai’s position as a growing hub for aircraft MRO services. The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing regions for business aviation, and it’s crucial that we have a dedicated paint hangar for business jets. This strategic partnership with Satys significantly enhances our service o erings for clients in the Middle East, Africa, and beyond.”
Satys, a French company, has been working with Dassault Falcon Service since 2001. The 2,831-sq-m (30,000-sq-ft), climate-controlled Dubai paint facility will be able to accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing Max 10 or Airbus A321XL and paint up to 35 aircraft per year. M.T.
Manal Obeid (left) and Dima Elayyan, co-founders of MD Aviation, intend to shake up the Levant’s private
AIN Media Group is excited to announce our inaugural
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March 27, 2025 | The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, LA
Join us for AIN’s FBO Dinner & Awards Gala, a prestigious event dedicated to celebrating excellence in the business aviation industry, as we announce the top performers from our survey.
The event will take place on Thursday, March 27th, 2025, from 6 pm to 9 pm in the U.S. Freedom Pavilion at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. This exclusive evening will feature a formal dinner and an awards ceremony.
This event promises to be an unforgettable night of networking, recognition, and celebration among the leaders in aviation.
Bombardier begins flagship Global 8000 production
By Curt Epstein
As the testing program for Bombardier’s new flagship Global 8000 nears completion, the Canadian airframer announced that it has begun construction of the first production model of the ultra-long-range business jet. It will be the first built from the wheels up as an 8000, because modified Global 7500s were used for the test program.
At a press conference during October’s NBAA-BACE, Éric Martel, the OEM’s president and CEO, told a standing-room-only audience that the certification of the twinjet—a longer-legged, faster variant of the Global 7500—is expected to go smoothly as it approached 300 hours of testing.
“We do flight testing across the product, so we are extremely happy with the result; the industry’s fastest speed, longest range, lowest cabin altitude, and smoothest ride is coming next year,” he said.
The aircraft, which is expected to enter service in late 2025, will feature a range of 8,000 nm, allowing it to connect city pairs such as Singapore-Los Angeles, Dubai-Houston, and London-Perth, at a top speed of Mach 0.94.
Production of major components is taking place at Bombardier facilities in Saint-Laurent, Québec; Red Oak, Texas; and Querétaro, Mexico.
A retrofit kit will be available for Global 7500 customers looking to bring their aircraft to the 8000 standard, a process that will take approximately 10 days in a Bombardier service center, according to Paul Sislian, Bombardier’s executive v-p for aftermarket services and strategy. It will include a larger fuel capacity as well as avionics and engine software changes.
Jean-Christophe Gallagher, executive v-p of aircraft sales and Bombardier defense, noted that the manufacturer is about to reach a milestone for the Global 7500 with its 200th
The first production example of Bombardier’s Global 8000 ultra long-range business jet is taking shape at the company’s U.S. aerostructures production facility in Red Oak, Texas.
delivery since certification in 2018, to be followed soon after by the 100th delivery of the Challenger 3500 and the 1,000th delivery of a Challenger 300-series jet.
He noted that the company’s Global 7500 demonstrator, which travels the world
showcasing the company’s technology, has racked up an impressive slate of 60 National Aeronautic Association-certified speed records—“records that can only be accomplished with a combination of range, speed, and takeoff performance,” Gallagher said. z
Paris International Air and Space Show is flling up very quickly.
Don’t be left in transit
Dassault’s Falcon 8X and 6X meet Middle East prerequisites for business jets: long range and a large cabin.
Dassault Falcons flock to Middle East market
By Matt Thurber
Dassault’s business jets have always been popular in the Middle East, but the latest models with even wider cabins are generating more interest among potential buyers, according to Carlos Brana, the French manufacturer’s executive v-p for civil aircraft. The company brought two airplanes this week to MEBAA 2024—a Falcon 8X and 6X, the newest and largest airplanes in the company’s lineup.
While its 5,500-nm range is about 1,000 nm less than that of the 8X, the 6X’s larger and wider cabin cross-section is appealing while still being able to make Middle East to Europe flights with ease. “For people who want to go very comfortably and far, the 8X is the right solution,” he explained, and it can fly 6,450 nm while operating from relatively short runways.
The 6X has the largest cabin cross-section of any purpose-built business jet, with a height of 1.98 meters (6 feet 6 inches) and width of 2.58 meters. Cabin volume is 52.2 cubic meters (1,843 cu ft).
A 6X has already been delivered to a Middle East customer and more are on the way. “It’s
an important market for us,” Brana said, “with usually between 10% to 15% of sales there, depending on the year. They represent a good part of our clientele.”
One of the newest features in Falcons is the Honeywell Primus Epic-based EASy IV avionics suite, which will be featured in the upcoming Falcon 10X and is now standard in the 8X. EASy IV is also available as a retrofit for in-service 8X and 7X trijets.
A key attribute of the new avionics is improved controller-pilot datalink communications performance with enhanced access to the European ATN B1 network and the U.S. en route datalink service. Honeywell has also added 2D and 3D airport moving maps (AMM). The 2D AMM are viewable on the multifunction display and 3D AMM on the primary flight display and they depict hot spots, runway hold-short lines, and taxiway signage.
In addition, the new cockpit display of traffic information gives pilots a clear view of airborne and ground traffic from ADS-B data along with their call signs, heading, speed vector, and wake turbulence category. Landing
performance data is improved and takes into account runway condition reports, use of thrust reversers, and safety factors. Another added feature is Honeywell’s runway overrun awareness and alerting system, which warns pilots about conditions that could cause a runway excursion.
When the 7X is upgraded to EASy IV, it gains some features that were previously available on the 8X such as a next-generation flight management system, autothrottle with one-engine-out capability, RNP AR approach capability, and Honeywell’s digital RDR 7000 weather radar.
For passengers and pilots, Dassault is developing a supplemental type certificate for installation of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite communication system on the 8X. “That will come early next year,” according to Brana. “We’re studying other STCs [on the other models] to see how we can implement those.”
The next jet in the Dassault lineup is the 10X, and its cabin is even larger than the 6X’s, at 2.03 meters high and 2.77 meters wide and with a volume of 78.7 cubic meters. With an NBAA IFR range of 7,500 nm (eight passengers and four crew), the eventual Dassault flagship is expected to enter service in 2027.
“The 10X will be a great solution for our customers,” Brana said. “We think we have a good potential [here in the Middle East] and we are talking a lot with prospects. The fact that we came to MEBAA is very important.” z
TotalEnergies, Aramco sign SAF development
By Curt Epstein
France-based global energy conglomerate TotalEnergies has signed a joint development and cost-sharing agreement with Saudi government-owned petroleum producer Aramco and Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC) to assess the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production facility in Saudi Arabia.
The move was announced late last week during a visit to the country by French President Emmanuel Macron, which also celebrated the 50th anniversary of TotalEnergies’ operations in Saudi Arabia.
The three participating companies will use their expertise to establish a production unit that will create SAF from locally sourced
residue feedstocks such as animal fats and used cooking oil.
“We are delighted to [be] partnering with Aramco and SIRC to study the production of sustainable aviation fuels in the Kingdom,” stated TotalEnergies chair and CEO Patrick Pouyanné.
“Saudi Arabia is emblematic of our multi-energy strategy aimed at supporting the energy transition of oil and gas producing countries.”
In 2014, TotalEnergies and Aramco entered into their first joint partnership: Saudi Aramco Total Refining And Petrochemical, one of the world’s most complex and efficient refining and petrochemical platforms located in the industrial city of Jubail.
The two companies plan to begin co-processing used cooking oil there to produce SAF by
2026. The partnership will expand the following year, as Amiral—an $11 billion petrochemical complex attached to the refinery—is expected to become operational.
“With demand for air travel forecast to grow, it’s becoming imperative to address aviation emissions through lower-carbon alternatives such as SAF,” said Aramco president Amin Nasser. “We already have a well-established partnership with TotalEnergies, and this new collaboration demonstrates our intent to explore ways to leverage our combined strengths, in this case with a view to establishing a [SAF] plant in the Kingdom with SIRC.”
SIRC CEO Ziyad Al-Shiha said his company has a focus on increasing the conversion of the Kingdom’s wastes into renewable resources, in line with the Saudi initiatives.
“The partnership with Aramco and TotalEnergies to assess the feasibility of a renewable aviation fuels plant signifies a major leap forward in our mission,” he said. “We also believe it will enrich and energize our efforts to lead the development of the kingdom’s circular economy.” z
Royal Jets’ VIP-configured BBJ1 is one of three Boeing bizliners on display this week at MEBAA.
Boeing Business Jets trio takes bow at MEBAA ramp
By Hanneke W eitering
Boeing Business Jets returns to the MEBAA Show in Dubai this week to highlight its VIP bizliners. Three BBJs can be found on the MEBAA static display, including two BBJ1s and a larger BBJ2, based on the Boeing 737700 and -800, respectively.
Dubai-based aircraft brokerage Action Aviation brought its BBJ1 to showcase in partnership with Boeing. Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi-based air charter provider Royal Jet is displaying the other BBJ1. Royal Jet operates the largest fleet of BBJs in the world and acquired its 13th BBJ in 2022.
Monaco-based aircraft broker Opus Aero is exhibiting the BBJ2, which is 19 feet longer and offers 25% more cabin space and double the cargo volume versus the BBJ1. Opus Aero’s 27-passenger aircraft features a private stateroom, complete with an ensuite shower, along with a dining area and lounge.
“Bizliners appeal to clients who value spaciousness and versatility, combined with the comforts of a true home in the sky,” said Wassim Saheb, managing partner of Opus Aero in the Middle East. “This BBJ2 reflects our commitment to offering unmatched aircraft that redefine private travel.” z
Pilatus adds Jet Aviation Dubai for PC-24 MX
Pilatus has appointed the Jet Aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility at Dubai International Airport (OMDB) as an authorized service center (ASC) for the PC-24 twinjet. It already provides support for operators of the Swiss manufacturer’s PC-12 turboprop single.
According to Pilatus, the Dubai ASC will bolster customer support for PC-24 operators in the Middle East. Other Pilatus ASCs are located in Sweden, the UK, Poland, Austria, Turkey and Spain, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Chile, New Zealand, and the U.S.
“Demand for our PC-24 continues to grow
worldwide, which is why we are constantly expanding our support network,” said André Zimmermann, business aviation v-p at Pilatus.
In Dubai, Jet Aviation supports 18 di erent aircraft types and holds more than 15 national aviation authority approvals. The company also provides line maintenance at Dubai Al Maktoum International and Abu Dhabi Bateen airports, and on-demand support at Abu Dhabi International.
“We o er a comprehensive portfolio of maintenance services for multiple types of business aircraft in Dubai, and this latest authorization is testament to our ongoing commitment to continue evolving our capabilities.” C.A.
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DAVID M c INTOSH
Chapman Freeborn soars in MidEast
By Matt Thurber
With charter passenger footprint growth in the Middle East of 100% this year, charter broker Chapman Freeborn is making its MEBAA show debut and highlighting its services for the India, Middle East, and Africa (IMEA) markets. “We see this as a great opportunity to network and strengthen our relationships with our suppliers and partners and connect with all the industry leaders,” Claudia Krajhanzl, v-p for passenger services in the region, told AIN
Chapman Freeborn opened its Dubai office in 1995 and since then has seen significant growth in the local charter market. While there were many fewer charter providers and brokers in Dubai through the early 2000s, she said, “Now Dubai is a massive hub for aviation.”
Although there has long been speculation that the Middle East charter market would shift to smaller aircraft, that still isn’t the case, according to Krajhanzl. “We’re still witnessing the same tendencies in the region. It’s quite different than the U.S. and Europe,” she told AIN. “People here prioritize ultra-long-range and heavy jets for trips from the Middle East to Asia and Europe. There are quite a lot of trips within the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries and those are done mainly with large jets.
“While people say there is big demand for small aircraft, the reality is whenever they base smaller aircraft here, they tend to be less successful. Clients prefer larger cabins, and in this area midsize jets tend to be slightly more acceptable [versus light jets]. The profile of the passengers, however, they are not so keen on light jets. It might change in the future, but we’re still seeing that.”
Chapman Freeborn v-p
Claudi Krajhanzl said the charter broker’s Dubai office, established in 1995, is very busy these days..
Where there is demand for smaller aircraft is from companies that aren’t headquartered in the UAE. Such companies tend to send teams for tours to nearby countries and in this case a small aircraft might fit their needs.
Whatever the size of the aircraft, customers insist on reliable airborne connectivity. “They have the expectation that they’re Wi-Fiequipped,” Krajhanzl said. “We see clients refusing to fly on aircraft with no Wi-Fi.”
Chapman Freeborn has its own charter operating division in the U.S., but in the IMEA market brokerage services are the preferred
avenue for serving customers. “If they contact us instead of the operator, they would have access to a wide variety of operators as opposed to one,” Krajhanzl said.
“This allows them to have a comparison point. The fact that we’ve been here more than 50 years gives us the expertise to anticipate issues we might face on particular routes to make sure issues don’t arise. Customers have the option of a headache-free experience. Also, we are a global player, and that allows us to negotiate rates with operators rather than a client seldom booking and not having buying power.” z
Bombardier marks 200th Global 7500 delivery
Bombardier’s 7,700-nm Global 7500 has reached a new plateau: the 200th delivery to a customer. The airframer announced the milestone on Monday, a marker reached just six years after the $78 million jet entered service in 2018.
Since then, the Global 7500 fleet has amassed 200,000 hours and logged a dispatch reliability of more than 99.8%. And as the fleet has grown, so too have the speed records for the Mach 0.925, four-zone model.
The Canadian manufacturer noted that the aircraft has accrued some 75 such citypair records, and more are coming, according to David Strassburg, Bombardier demonstration pilot and safety manager for demo flight operations. “We’re actually at more
than that. So we’re really doing quite well.”
These include an 8,225-nm flight in October 2019 from Sydney, Australia, to Detroit, Michigan, the longest flight ever recorded in business aviation, the company maintained. Some of the newer missions included Miami to São Paulo, Tokyo to Los Angeles, Jeddah to London, and Los Angeles to Auckland.
Many of them were done on demo flights from one city to another, providing the ability to demonstrate speed and the quality of the flight in the aircraft to potential buyers.
“That’s been really satisfying to do that,” he said. “We were showing them that we can demonstrate world-class record-setting performance in the end-case scenario that you want to use this aircraft.” K.L.
DAVID M c INTOSH
A Bombardier Global 7500 on the static display at MEBAA.
