You are on page 1of 2

P R I V AT E P L A N E S P R I V AT E P L A N E S

JOIN THE
GEORGINA WILSON-POWELL FINDS OUT
WHY PRIVATE JET TRAVEL IS SO POPULAR
IN THE MIDDLE EAST FROM ROYAL JET’S
VICE PRESIDENT, JOHN MORGAN.

Despite what you might hear in the news, the private aviation
business is flourishing in the Middle East. According to
the CEO of DWC Aviation City in Dubai, Abdullah Al Quraishi, executive jet flights in
Dubai have increased by 30% in the last three years (up to 2008) – with nearly 9,000
private jet flights in and out of Dubai International Airport in 2007 alone.
Compared to commercial airlines elsewhere in the world who are being
crippled by the price of oil and the slowdown in mass market air travel, Middle
Eastern airlines are bucking the trend in general, with Emirates and Etihad Airways
respectively still placing large orders with manufacturers, however, it’s the private
jet market that is really flying high. With this in mind, the UAE has invested $1.36
billion in DWC Aviation City which will incorporate the largest executive jet terminal
in the world. This high level of investment gives you some idea of the confidence the
UAE has in the sector’s future.
“The movement of small business planes in the Middle East is growing by 18%
a year compared with the global average of 10%,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed
Al Maktoum, Chairman, Dubai City of
Aviation Corporation – Dubai World
Central, Government of Dubai, last year.
It’s no surprise. The region has the
perfect conditions for such a market; a
high concentration of liquidity, rapidly
expanding business markets and a lack
of viable transport alternatives. In the
Middle East region more than anywhere IN THE MIDDLE EAST REGION MORE THAN
else in the world, private chartered ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD, PRIVATE
flights are considered a necessity and not
needless spending. It’s something Royal
CHARTERED FLIGHTS ARE CONSIDERED A
Jet is taking full advantage of. NECESSITY AND NOT NEEDLESS SPENDING.

30 31
P R I V AT E P L A N E S P R I V AT E P L A N E S

Royal Jet was launched in 2003 and celebrities, royalty and the like. Which world’s largest single fleet of Boeing
acts as the commercial branch of the means there’s a large percentage of Business jets.”
less well known PFA (Presidential Flight Middle Eastern individuals already In addition to its own jet fleet, Royal
Authority). PFA handles the private “EACH CLIENT GETS A DIFFERENT switched on to the savings Morgan Jet has also diversified into assisting
jet services of the UAE Royal family
and their VIPs. Royal Jet is chaired
FLIGHT, BUT OWNING A JET IS promises.
“Private jet travel is totally different
high net worth individuals manage
their own private planes and brokering
by His Excellency Sheikh Hamdan BECOMING MORE AND MORE from commercial airlines. Everything is potential new sales.
bin Murabak al Nayhan, who sits as a
Minister in the UAE Federal Cabinet.
POPULAR,” EXPLAINS MORGAN taken care of for our guests, including
liaising with governmental agencies
“Unless a private jet can be used
constantly, it can be an expensive
Based in Abu Dhabi, Royal Jet will and local operators to ease the overall proposition. Chartering a plane from
benefit from the $55 million being spent travel experience,” assures Morgan. us ensures that every last detail is
on upgrading its base; the capital’s Al From luxury transport at either end taken care of including a bespoke,
Bateen Executive airport (located close of your trip, private chefs on board pre- personalised service. Each client gets
to terminal 2 at Abu Dhabi International briefed with your preferences to create a different flight, but owning a jet is
Airport), currently at least, the only one gourmet fine dining meals to bespoke becoming more and more popular,”
of its kind in the region. This investment on board entertainment options and explains Morgan. “We can manage a
is in response to what Mohammed Al amenities, cabin crew fluent in your client’s aircraft on their behalf, utilising it
Bulooki, Vice President at Abu Dhabi preferred language and a vast choice whilst they are not using it. This provides
Airports Company calls “an increasing of destination airports, far closer to a win-win situation for both parties, as
demand for the type of facility that we your intended final destination than any the owner enjoys reduced costs without
offer.” commercial airport can offer, means compromising safety or quality.”
Royal Jet has picked up numerous that a private flight works around you, With the market set to keep growing,
awards including the Middle East’s not the other way around. Royal Jet Royal Jet looks set to fly sky high and has
Leading Private Jet Charter at the also take care of all customs and visa an expansion plan to match, including
Middle East Travel Awards and the paperwork required and (subject to more acquisitions and continuing the
World’s Leading Private Jet Charter by This page: Royal Jet ensuring the safety of the plane and its upgrading of its services.
offers each of its guests a
the WTA for the last two years running. personalised and tailor- crew) will fly anywhere in the world. “We’re currently refurbishing our
This level of achievement is something made on-board service “Businessmen save so much time Boeing Business jets at a cost of $70
to match their tastes and
Vice President Commercial John requirements. Right hand with us, there’s no having to fit your million and are constantly trying to
Morgan takes great pride in. page: From left: Royal Jet work schedule around an airline’s or improve our customer experience.
removes the usual hassles
“Our pedigree originates with the and time constraints of having to travel to a main international Safety, security, confidentiality, privacy
PFA, the official flight service of the airport transfers. Taking a hub to get where you want to go. We fly and unsurpassed comfort are Royal Jet
private plane offers visitors
UAE Royal family. As a result of this a more customised journey. clients all over the world and have the hallmarks.”
noble heritage, we implement the
same exacting standards of service
– security, safety, professionalism and
“EVERYTHING IS TAKEN CARE OF organisations,” says Morgan. “Companies
recognise that employees have accountable
“An aeroplane is just a tool for
doing business. Anything that enhances
warmth as well as flexibility, discretion FOR OUR GUESTS, INCLUDING costs per hour and as such, they must your ability to do business should be
and customisation. All our personnel
are highly trained and are at the cutting
LIAISING WITH GOVERNMENTAL try to attain the most reasonable level of
productivity they can with those hours.”
welcomed, especially in the current
climate,” says Morgan. “Just this year
edge of service delivery and safety. AGENCIES AND LOCAL OPERATORS The company produced a report to prove alone – even during the downturn – we
Recruited from various relevant fields, TO EASE THE OVERALL TRAVEL this theory, called ‘Time equals money,’ are seeing an increase in bookings.”
our professionals undergo further in-
depth training to ensure our experience
EXPERIENCE,” ASSURES MORGAN. which claims its flyers can recoup 30% in
time saved, not checking in, not waiting in
Not content with this, the airline
has also expanded to offer its services
on offer is second to none. Royal Jet departure lounges, bypassing delays, customs and overnight hotel stays and when into the biggest private jet market in
promises to deliver and excel at meeting explained as such, Royal Jet’s alternative seems both attractive and reasonable. the region, Saudi Arabia, this year.
the demands of today’s business “Businessmen appreciate easy access to a local airport, the elimination “Even in such a short period since we
aviation traveller.” of ticket counters, baggage claim, queues of people, which all leads to a more forged our alliance with ARABASCO in
Used by visiting dignitaries, pleasant and productive means of travel. Our clients arrive less tired not having to Saudi Arabia, we have seen substantial

IMAGES: ROYAL JET & SHUTTERSTOCK.COM


celebrities, VIPs as well as royalty, battle with traffic and arrive at their meetings much more able to conduct business growth. We have positioned one of our
Royal Jet is also heavily utilised by the effectively. Royal Jet should be considered a business tool that makes actual, real Boeing Business jets, together with a
region’s businessmen who recognise and accountable contributions to a company.” Morgan explains. “The privacy on Gulfstream 300, a full operations team
that the cost of a private flight can be one of our planes means the flight can be as productive as working in a normal and all the necessary logistics to offer
reimbursed in the value of time and office. There are obviously issues that cannot be addressed in even first class on a private jet charter there.”
productivity gained by choosing to commercial flight that can [be] because of the confidentiality of flying privately.” Royal Jet has an extensive list
bypass a commercial route. So in this time of tightening belts and shutting wallets, the fact that Royal Jet is of services that it provides for the
“Productivity is a critically expanding and turning a profit, would suggest that the benefits that it extols do, in discerning business traveller, which
important factor in determining the fact, exist. Last year the company saw a 17% increase in profits and a 21% increase most of its clientele are. Just 16% of
success of virtually all profit generating in revenue. its clients are government officials,

32 33

You might also like