6th December 2003, Abu Dhabi: Royal Jet started operations in May 2003 with a 42-seat Boeing Business Jet, the modern, ultra-luxurious version of the Boeing 737-700, and is the launch customer of the Gulf G300 aircraft, the latest version of the popular G1V in May 2003, the first two G300 were introduced in August and September 2003. Each of the G300's seat 14 passengers in executive luxury. Both are powered by Rolls Royce engines and have a range of 6 000 kilometres. Royal Jet provides special air charter services to its customers wishing to charter luxurious, private flights. 

Both revenue and hours flown have more than tripled since start-up, the company says. With one Boeing Business Jet Royal Jet flew an average of 50 hours a month and increased rapidly to 150 hours a month. The aircraft now fly between 120-150 hours a month. Revenues have also grown by 45% each month above the business case assumption.

Royal Jet has received "overwhelmingly positive customer feedback" and strengthening demand for its services and had to disappoint its customers several times due to all aircraft being booked.

As a result, says Captain Tilmann Gabriel, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Jet, the 100% UAE-owned company is planning the lease or purchase of two more aircraft, whose types have yet to be announced.

Royal Jet was flying to Geneva for a period of 12 weeks in the summer when an agreement was struck with Gulf Air. Discussions are currently underway with Gulf Air and other airlines to use the Boeing Business Jet for "Corporate Shuttle" on high yield routes.

Royal Jet is also looking into block charter agreements where customers block an agreed number of hours, i.e. 100 - 400 hours per year, and the aircraft then flies the amount of hours exclusively for its customers.

Royal Jet is also just short of signing its first aircraft management contract. This service is offered to aircraft owners who do not want to engage in the hassle of operating and handling the aircraft themselves with all the necessary investments in people, equipment and a regulatory operating permit.

Furthermore, to cope with the boom in business, Royal Jet has opened offices in Riyadh and Jeddah which will start operation on 1st January 2004. Royal Jet will announce the opening of a full-service office in Dubai at the Airshow.

In order to provide its customers with a more personalized service Royal Jet has installed the most up to date Customer Relation Management (CRM) system based on an Oracle database. This allows Royal Jet to record all its clients' details such as preferences and special needs, as well as contact details, preferred payment methods and regular routes traveled.

Absolute Discretion

Royal Jet's steep climb is generally attributed to the way it was established and what Mr Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi, the company's Managing Director, describes as "our daily mantra - service excellence".

Having comprehensively researched local and international markets, Mr Al Naqbi says; 'Royal Jet assembled a team of highly competent professionals with extensive experience in specialised air transport. '

Another key step was to successfully meet numerous stringent requirements to obtain an Air Operator's Certificate (AOC) from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, which issued the certificate in May.

The result today is Royal Jet's ability to provide a truly seamless service to VIP customers, from royalty, ministers and celebrities to businessmen and other individuals seeking absolute discretion in their travel.

Another facet of Royal Jet's high levels of service is the personalization of aircraft according to customers' needs within two and a half hours of confirming availability.

Affiliations are in place with Jumeirah International's Burj Al Arab hotel, recognised as the world's most luxurious hotel. Ammar Balkar, Director of Sales and Marketing said that 2004 will witness several exclusive custom made VIP packages in joint ventures with prestigious service providers in the UAE. The joint venture with Burj Al Arab is just the start.

Royal Jet Executive Terminal Abu Dhabi

Royal Jet's VIP services in Abu Dhabi have found appeal elsewhere, to the extent that the company offers all handling services, including the use of its new VIP lounge, to all executive aircraft flying into Abu Dhabi International Airport. During the Dubai Airshow, Royal Jet will present these new services and the way forward to the public.

Medical Evacuation

In addition to these services, Royal Jet has found its important role in emergency and medical flights which, since the company's launch, have accounted for some 40% of operations.

Having developed an all-encompassing capability for medical evacuation flights through its specialised aircraft with advanced equipment and personnel, Royal Jet launched a separate - and very successful - operation called Royal Med.

That step involved considerable expenditure on equipping the company's aircraft with advanced critical care facilities that, at a moment's notice, transform them into functioning ambulance aircraft with intensive care capabilities over long distance medical evacuations.

Royal Med has its own critical care team comprising fully-trained aero-medical doctors and nurses with experience and expertise in a wide range of medical evacuations.

Royal Med has been utilised for several major evacuations worldwide. Having started initially as the exclusive Medevac provider for all UAE nationals, Royal Med is also looking to expand its medical services to international insurances and alike.

Royal Jet will showcase its air charter and VIP services, as well as Royal Med's capabilities, at the 2003 Dubai Airshow.

-Ends-

For further information please contact:
Mr. Ammar Balkar
Director of Sales and Marketing
Royal Jet
Tel: +971 2 5757000
Fax: +971 2 5755222
Email: abalkar@royaljetgroup.com
www.royaljetgroup.com

© Press Release 2005