The future of business aviation infrastructure in the key Middle Eastern gateway Dubai is close to being resolved with authorities there finally settling how the new VIP Terminal at Dubai World Central Airport (DWC) will be run and occupied. The long-running issue is a matter of concern to several business aviation service groups exhibiting here at the EBACE show, as well as to the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA).
Jetex Flight Support (Booth N090) and Abu Dhabi’s Falcon Aviation are understood to be two of the players who will ultimately run FBO operations from the VIP Terminal at DWC, while ExecuJet Aviation Group (Booth S073) hopes to set up a standalone facility, and the position of Jet Aviation is unclear, although it is understood to have signed a lease, AIN has learnt.
Although bizav MRO operations continue on a day-to-day basis at the Jet Aviation and ExecuJet facilities at Dubai International Airport (DXB), the Aviation District at Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA-DWC) is handling the vast majority of bizjet flights emanating from the emirate, AIN has learnt from several senior officials associated with efforts to develop Dubai’s second airport.
“The focus is now at Dubai South when it comes to business aviation,” Ali Al Naqbi, founding chairman, the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA), told AIN. He added that he expected the official opening of the new VIP Terminal at DWC to take place during MEBAA’s biannual event which takes place there December 6-8.
Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive director, Dubai Aviation City Corporation (DACC), confirmed to AIN that Falcon Aviation and Jetex had taken up leases at the VIP Terminal.
“Jetex Flight Support have two lounges. Falcon Aviation [has] one,” Ahmed Al Ansari, Deputy COO, DACC, told AIN. “Jet Aviation are finalising the fourth lounge now.”
ExecuJet Aviation Group told AIN it intends to develop a standalone facility by the end of 2017, relying on a new interim FBO in the meantime.
Jet Aviation’s website is still advertising FBO services from the temporary facility adjoining the existing passenger terminal at DWC. “The temporary Passenger Terminal FBOs” belonging to Jet Aviation and ExecuJet were to close at around the end of April,” said Al Ansari. “The expansion of the Passenger Terminal Building has to start [in May],” he added.
“We anticipate a balanced spread of business for all operators operating out of Al Maktoum International Airport. This is not about competition within Dubai; it is about being a regional hub for the GCC,” Justin Wilshaw, senior v-p commercial, DACC, told AIN.
“Dubai’s emphasis is on providing the full economic system and MRO, hangarage and servicing. The location is strategically positioned between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. We believe that this is a compelling offer that will stand the test of time.”
Wilshaw said an announcement would shortly be issued regarding the award of a contract to ALEC Construction Group for construction of the Passenger Terminal Expansion, which is expected to bring capacity at the existing passenger terminal to around 27 million.
DC Aviation Al Futtaim pre-empted the entire market by launching their joint venture in January 2012, opening an FBO and MRO facility in time for the 2013 Dubai Airshow.
“They were the first mover to come to AMIA many years ago. They were rewarded by first-user advantage,” said Wilshaw.
“The [timing of the official] opening [of the VIP Terminal] has not yet been decided. It depends on several factors,” Al Zaffin told AIN.
“The soft opening already took place, and one company is operating from there now,” Al Naqbi said. This is understood to be a reference to the FBO of Jetex Flight Support, which saw an Embraer Legacy headed for The Maldives depart from DWC April 12, according to press reports appearing in local dailies Gulf News and Al Bayan.
“We always said that it would be essential for us to have a standalone facility [at DWC],” Mike Berry, ExecuJet’s v-p Middle East, told AIN.
“Our legacy presence at DXB remains until we are told to move. Nothing changes, in terms of FBO and MRO. We are still holding on to the hope we can retain both facilities at both locations,” he said.
ExecuJet said it is planning a new, long-term presence at the new site, involving a permanent standalone facility at what is now referred to also as Dubai South. Contracts are in place, so that it can move in, possibly at the end of 2017.
In the meantime, ExecuJet plans an interim standalone base at DWC’s Aviation District. “Our interim facility is under construction. It should be ready in early July,” he said.
“We had a signed agreement with the right authorities. We are pressing ahead with facilities we will construct and we have agreements in place,” said Berry.
“We don’t have any information on [ExecuJet’s plans], and we are the planning authority. They are looking at an option; at this stage we don’t have any conformation on the site,” Wilshaw told AIN. “ExecuJet has been concentrating on a move to AMIA. The timing is still being resolved by them, and that is their business,” he added.
Wilshaw also said he could not confirm Jet Aviation’s involvement until the contracts were signed. “There are commitments made to date on all the premises,” he said.
“The VIP terminal is operation right now. It will be fully occupied by year’s end. The lounges are being completed at present. Dubai Duty Free will open [its facility] on May 15. The terminal is operational as we speak.” He said Jetex’s tenancy would be completed at around the end of June.
“There is spectacular investment underway [at DWC] in preparation for Expo 2020. This began with a rebranding of DWC and surrounding area as Dubai South. The new business aviation terminal will include new hangar space and also shaded parking on the apron,” said UAS executive director, Mohammed Husary.
“This is a massive project and illustrates the importance of Dubai as one of the major world travel hubs, and of the Middle East as a stalwart international market for business aviation,” added Husary.
MEBAA’s Dubai biannual show takes place at Dubai South on 6-8 December, 2016, with the event’s conference taking place at the Address Hotel, Dubai Marina, on 6 December. Show organisers F&E Aerospace expect 460 exhibitors and over 9,000 visitors.
“We anticipate growth of between 10-to-15 percent in the number of visitors. Most of the exhibition space has been booked by now,” Al Naqbi said.
He said a board meeting of the International Business Aviation Council would take place during the show and that an official opening of the VIP Terminal was likely to take place during the show.
MEBAA also plans MEBAA Conference Qatar on 21 September 2016. MEBAA Conference Jeddah took place on May 2. It’s 2017 event will now be held in Marrakesh rather than Casablanca, said Al Naqbi.