EBACE: Rizon plots expansion and prepares to open new FBOs

Rizon Jet (stand 1183) is gearing up to open the first fixed-base operations in Biggin Hill, London and Doha, Qatar in July.

The multi-million dollar FBO projects are a key component of Rizon's strategy to expand its geographical reach and its portfolio of services in an attempt to position itself as the leading business aviation services provider in the Gulf.

Rizon was founded in 2006 as a Bahrain-based business aircraft charter company. Three years later the company moved to Qatar and a decision was made to widen its services offering within and outside the Middle East to include management, maintenance, aircraft and passenger handling, sales, finance and consulting.

Rizon says that it may also add aircraft completions to its portfolio at a later date, complementing the yacht interiors business provided by its German sister company Metrica.


© RizonJet

"Rizon Jet, uniquely, is the first private jet company in the Middle East to expand its business activities into Europe," says Rizon Group chief executive Patrick Enz. "Although the business aviation industry has gone through an immensely tough year, these two regions are pulling out of the recession and the timing for opening these facilities is good," he adds.

Rizon has acquired a 40% stake in UK charter start-up and air operator's certificate holder Oryx Jet, which is set to add its first aircraft - a managed Beechcraft Premier I - to its fleet imminently. Rizon's Qatar-based fleet comprises five company-owned business jets - two Bombardier Challenger 605s, one Global Express and two Hawker 900XPs - and five managed aircraft.

Rizon also has four Bombardier Learjet 85 business jets on order with the first midsize scheduled for delivery in 2014. "We plan to grow our fleet through managed aircraft - focusing in the Middle East on midsize and large-cabin jets," Enz says.

"We are also looking to add more locations across Europe when the opportunity arises," Enz adds.