SKYPLAN EXPANDS
Canadian flight services provider Skyplan has established a base in Dubai International airport Free Zone, making it the only North American company to provide contract flight dispatch from offices in the West and the Middle East. Skyplan provides flight planning, traditional dispatch support, international trip planning and contract fuel. The company's Middle East operations complement its base in Calgary, Canada.
NETJETS FURLOUGHS
NetJets is to furlough up to 495 pilots from its North American fractional ownership operation because of falling demand for its programme. The job losses will take effect on 15 January. "This difficult decision resulted from a comprehensive analysis of current and projected flight demand," says NetJets chairman David Sokol. The move comes two months after NetJets, the world's largest fractional ownership company, slashed 5% of its workforce - about 300 jobs - under a reorganisation effort initiated by Sokol.
INDIAN APPROVAL
Dassault has clinched Indian validation for its Falcon 7X business jet. The ultra-long-range aircraft joins its Falcon 900 and 2000 stablemates on the country's list of approved business aircraft types. The first 7X is scheduled for delivery in 2010 to New Delhi charter operator Religare Voyages.
MEDEVAC EXPANSION
German air ambulance operator FAI rent-a-jet is to take delivery of two Bombardier Challenger 604 business jets in January. Handover of the large-cabin aircraft will bring FIA's fleet to 16 business jets - 12 Learjet 35A/55/60s, three Challenger 604s and a Dassault Falcon 900 EASy - 13 of which are dedicated to medical and casualty evacuation missions.
EXPANDING LEGACY
MAE Aircraft Management has added an Embraer Legacy 600 to its fleet. The super-midsize business jet will join a Bombardier Challenger 300 in service with the Bahrain operator.
Source: Flight International
