Dubai World Central, new home of the air show, is fast becoming the city’s hub for business aviation too.
Flight support specialist Jetex is the latest service provider to set up a fixed base operation at the new airport. The Dubai-based company formally launched its new lounge and range of ground support services at the show, and hosted a very important VIP visitor on Saturday – UK premier David Cameron, who dropped in on the show during a whistlestop in the city.
Jetex is sharing the FBO building, next to the passenger terminal, with two rivals – ExecuJet and Jet Aviation – who currently operate from Dubai International. However, the city’s original airport is becoming busier as Emirates’ and other airlines’ traffic grows, and business aviation operators are being pushed to move to DWC.
The plan is for the three tenants to move to a much larger facility at DWC next year.
Eventually, a purpose-built general aviation terminal will be built for the FBO providers at the new airport.
“Dubai World Central marks the next chapter in Dubai’s development as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs,” says Adel Mardini, president and chief executive of Jetex Flight Support. “It makes absolute sense for us to be present there and our FBO will continue to set a standard for excellence that our global customers have come to know and expect. They’ll be able to count on the best trained staff, the best facilities and the best safety standards.”
Meanwhile, DC Aviation Al-Futtaim has completed its purpose-built integrated hangar facility with lounge and office areas at DWC, bringing it a step closer to operational readiness.
The joint venture between Dubai-headquartered Al-Futtaim group and Stuttgart-based DC Aviation, once the flight department of car maker Daimler, is the only FBO at the new airport offering both ground handling and line maintenance.
The facility includes three large passenger lounges offering high levels of comfort and privacy, shower areas, a conference room and covered parking, as well as line maintenance in a 5,700m2 hangar.
“Our decision to invest in DWC stems from our confidence in the significant role this new airport will play in complementing and enhancing the success of Dubai’s aviation industry,” says Holger Ostheimer, general manager of DC Aviation Al-Futtaim.
“Being the first business aviation player to set up its facility at DWC is a major milestone for us and we feel privileged to become a partner in the continuous progress of the UAE’s expanding aviation industry. As we are inching closer to launching our operations, we take enormous pride in knowing that DCAF is the owner of the only integrated business aviation facility at DWC,” he says.
Check out the latest coverage from this year's Dubai Airshow.
For extra exclusive content, sign in or register to the FG Club.
Source: Flight Daily News