• Home
• News Article

Dubai aviation gets a boost

By By Issac John DUBAI - Dubai World Central , or DWC , said on Tuesday that Al-Futtaim Services Company would set up a general aviation services facility at Al Maktoum International Airport , the world's largest airport, which is expected to open for passenger traffic later next year.

DWC , the only "aerotropolis" in the Middle East and North Africa region, signed the landmark deal with Al-Futtaim on the sidelines of the Middle East Business Aviation Show that opened on Tuesday at the Dubai Airport Expo.

It was signed by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of the Dubai Aviation City Corporation, and Omar Abdulla Al Futtaim, Vice-Chairman of the Al-Futtaim Group. Shaikh Ahmed said the new partnership represents another milestone in Dubai's ongoing development as a global aviation hub.

Al-Futtaim Services Company, which is expected to launch operations in the third quarter of next year, intends to enter into a joint venture with DC Aviation, a leading business jet operator in Europe. The JV will provide a wide range of services from its upcoming facility at the DWC Al Maktoum International Airport , including business jet charter, aircraft maintenance and aircraft management.

The facility will host and service a fleet of varied aircraft, including Airbus A319 Corporate Jets and Bombardier Global Express, and initially occupy an area in excess of 6,000 square metres.

"The entry of the Al-Futtaim Services Company into the general aviation segment is a key component of our long-term growth and expansion strategy," said Al-Futtaim. "We have carefully chosen a strong partner on our side. The long-term business relationship with DC Aviation assures us of a great prospect for this exciting project. The unique capabilities available at Dubai World Central are a perfect fit with our plans to become a leading aviation services operator in this young and dynamic region."

Dubai Aviation City Corporation Executive Chairman Khalifa Al Zaffin said the partnership would further support the development of Dubai World Central and, specifically, DWC Al Maktoum International Airport . He hailed the agreement as a "demonstration of the joint commitment of the Government of Dubai and private-sector firms to contribute to the development of Dubai World Central ."

Al Zaffin added: "Following the launch of cargo operations at DWC Al Maktoum International Airport , which upon completion will become the largest airport in the world, we now look forward eagerly to the introduction of general aviation services as well as passenger operations."

Meanwhile, passenger operations at DWC -Al Maktoum International, which were scheduled to start in March 2011, would be delayed, Dubai Airports Chief Executive Paul Griffiths said. The airport was opened to cargo carriers in June.

"We are reviewing the opening date and we'll be looking at a new date. We are going to review the passenger terminal capacity and state of construction in a couple of months and then we'll be looking at a date," he told reporters at the sidelines of MEBA 2010.

Dubai Aviation City Corporation Chief Operating Officer Rashed Buqara'a said that the launch of general aviation services would complement perfectly the existing and upcoming components of Dubai World Central , which provides multimodal transport, global connectivity and operational predictability in a fast-cycle business environment.

"Today's [Tuesday's] announcement demonstrates the strength of the holistic vision of DWC , which is itself a critical part of the Dubai Government's overall 2015 strategy to make the emirate a regional and international hub for aviation and logistics," he said.

© Khaleej Times 2010