Contributor - Middle East

Peter Shaw-Smith

After flat traffic levels at the company's VIP Terminal at&nbsp;Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW) last year,&nbsp;Dubai-based global FBO and ground handling provider Jetex is now targeting a growth rate of 15% in 2024 over the 10,900 movements it handled at the facility in 2023.&nbsp;“Why not? People are hungry; they are coming here, buying aircraft and basing them here,” said Jetex founder and CEO Adel Mardini ahead of this year's EBACE show.&nbsp;
Last November, Jetex opened its new FBO at Al Bateen Executive Airport (OMAD), in the UAE's capital Abu Dhabi, to coincide with the Formula 1 race taking place at Yas Island. This, combined with its flagship terminal in Dubai, gave the company a powerful presence in one of the Middle East’s most prominent markets.
“Business is growing," said Mardini. "We do handling for both the VIP and VVIP terminals, the latter being government-managed. We have 80 staff onsite. We have to have manpower there because we are the exclusive operator.” Recently, Jetex handled 35 flights in a single day at OMAD.
Discussing the new FBO’s launch, Jetex said that expansion work was completed at the airport in 2022, involving resurfacing and widening of the existing 10,500-ft runway to accommodate widebody aircraft, upgraded ground lighting, and enhanced signage and landscaping to meet safety, compliance, and accreditation requirements. The secure apron and hangar parking facilities can accommodate up to 50 aircraft, offering a wide range of ground handling services.
Mardini also anticipates additional throughput at the Dubai FBO with the eventual relocation of flag carrier Emirates to OMDW as part of the <a href="https://www.mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2024/april/28-04/al-maktoum-international-airport">expansion</a>&nbsp;of scheduled facilities at the new airport.
“We know very well that they will build more runways here because we now only have one,” he said. “Emirates moving here will take time.” Expansion at Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport (OERY, pending a new designation) will involve six runways. “For sure, there’s competition in the market. But I don’t think that this will affect the business in the UAE because the infrastructure here is very strong.”
<h2>Saudi Arabia Could be Next</h2>
Jetex still has ambitions to extend its operations to&nbsp; Saudi Arabia but is still awaiting confirmation about how local officials might permit new facilities to be developed there.&nbsp;“They have yet to release a tender,” Mardini explained. “They are developing the strategy and talking about direction. Saudia Private Aviation is the main player. We are keen to enter the Saudi market. We are in communication with them, but until now there has been no action. They’re taking their time.”
Mardini believes the Saudi business and private aviation sector has yet to achieve its full potential. “To be honest with you, in the past couple of years, we saw a big drop in Saudi travelers, who don’t seem to want to fly privately,” he said. “Recently, however, every day one or two flights are coming [to Dubai] from Saudi Arabia—a new generation of Saudis are flying privately.”
Today, Jetex has 38 FBOs and three operations centers worldwide. Its new facility at Capitán FAP Renán Elías Olivera Airport (SPSO) in Pisco, Peru—146 miles south of the capital, Lima—is a handling station. The group also hopes to open new Asian FBOs in Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Ground Handler Jetex Anticipates UAE Bizav Traffic Growth This Year

Abu Dhabi FBO is now in operation at Al Bateen Executive Airport 

Ground handling and flight support group Jetex is actively pursuing new FBO opportunities in Asia and is looking to make similar progress in Saudi Arabia.

Jetex Anticipates UAE Bizav Traffic Growth This Year

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News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

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