Gama Group, the global business aviation services provider, is delighted to announce that its Middle East based business unit, Gama Aviation FZE is significantly expanding Gama’s customer offering at Sharjah International Airport.

Gama’s Sharjah FBO has established itself as the preferred gateway to Sharjah, Dubai and the Northern Emirates, posting a remarkable 75% increase in corporate aviation movements in the last twelve months alone. To meet this customer demand, Gama has added a further five team members to its Sharjah based ground handling and concierge team.

This success has been achieved due to Gama’s close working partnership with Sharjah Airport Authority and the Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation and builds on Gama’s award last year by the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority of its CAR Part 145 Aircraft Maintenance Approval.

Gama’s new maintenance and storage hangar at Sharjah is large enough for Boeing BBJ and Airbus ACJ aircraft, both of which are already in Gama’s managed fleet. The facility also has significant space to expand Gama’s regional headquarters.

“We are delighted that our customers are recognising the value of Sharjah International Airport for business aviation, which is enabling us to commit to further investment to support and grow services in the region,” said Dave Edwards, Managing Director, Gama Aviation FZE. “Our Sharjah FBO has established itself as the ’stress-free’ gateway for business and private visitors to Sharjah, Dubai and the Northern Emirates and is one of the first choice technical stops for business jet operators travelling from East to West. I’m confident that our current and future customers will appreciate the additional support services we are now able to provide.”

Qatar Airways today announced a new codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways to destinations across Thailand and the capital cities of neighbouring Cambodia and Myanmar.

Effective May 15, the agreement sees Qatar Airways’ QR flight code on services beyond the Thai capital with Bangkok Airways to a raft of destinations giving passengers more convenient and greater access to markets.

The domestic Thai codeshare destinations to and from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport are Samui, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Trat, Sukhothai, Lampang, Krabi. In addition, Qatar Airways will also codeshare with Bangkok Airways on flights from Bangkok to Phnom Penh and Yangon, the capital cities of Cambodia and Myanmar respectively.

Customers can now make bookings through their local travel agent, any Qatar Airways office or through the airline’s website www.qatarairways.com

Passengers travelling from many of Qatar Airways’ key markets in Europe, North America, South America, Africa and the Middle East to and from southeast Asia can take advantage of the new codeshare agreement with Bangkok Airways for greater access to more markets.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Airways’ hub in Doha is strategically well placed to connect East and West, and through this new partnership with Bangkok Airways we are able to cater to passengers who wish to seamlessly connect onwards to further destinations in countries where the airline already has an established presence - in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.

“This new codeshare with Bangkok Airways gives our passengers greater and easier access to more points across Thailand which is one of our most popular destinations in Asia.”

Qatar Airways currently operates non-stop flights between Doha and Bangkok four-times-daily and also serves Phuket in Thailand daily from the Qatari capital. In addition, Qatar Airways serves both Phnom Penh and Yangon daily from Doha.

Bangkok Airways Senior Vice President Network Management Peter Wiesner added: “This new partnership will offer better flight connectivity for passengers travelling on long-haul routes with Qatar Airways to Bangkok for their onward journey within Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar.

“Moreover, Thailand’s key destinations, namely Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai always have great potential which attract a large number of tourists. Therefore, we believe this partnership will offer a unique service for Qatar Airways’ passengers and will strengthen Bangkok Airways’ extensive network as well as boosting tourism in Thailand and Asia.”

Qatar Airways is one of the world’s fastest growing airlines currently operating a modern fleet of 124 aircraft to 126 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North America and South America from its strategically located hub in Doha, capital of the State of Qatar.

The airline has an aggressive growth strategy, with four new routes already launched this year - Gassim (Saudi Arabia), Najaf (Iraq), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Chicago (USA).

Over the next few weeks and months, the network will grow further with Salalah (Oman on May 22); Basra (Iraq on June 3); Sulaymaniyah (Iraq on August 20); Chengdu (China on September 3); Addis Ababa (Ethiopia on September 18); Clark International Airport (Philippines on October 28); and Philadelphia (USA on 2 April 2014).

The Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre (QSRTC) today held a GTL Jet Fuel Forum to share the outcome and data of a world-class research programme conducted by a GTL Jet Fuel Consortium.

GTL Jet Fuel is one of the main five products produced by the Qatar Petroleum - shell Pearl GTL plant in Ras Laffan, the largest GTL plant in the world.

The day-long forum addressed insights based upon three years of research and development by the research Consortium, which was funded by Qatar Science and Technology Park, and involved global industry leaders such as Qatar Airways, Airbus, Qatar Petroleum, Rolls-Royce plc, Woqod, along with Qatar Shell.

A rare research collaboration, the Consortium discussed the benefits of the new blend of jet fuel in detail, which is the first new aviation fuel to be approved for global markets in two decades. Data compiled during research on the process of making GTL Jet Fuel were shared for the first time during the Forum, as were certification protocols.

Wael Sawan, Managing Director and Chairman of Qatar Shell Companies, said, “I am extremely proud that our partnership with Qatar Petroleum on Pearl GTL resulted in a product that is considered a great innovation in the history of aviation fuel.

“I am also proud of the extraordinary ambition that has driven this research, which has set an excellent example of the power of collaboration. The pool of knowledge, ideas and research skills generated by some of the best-in-class stakeholders and the resulting product it bore will go a long way in cementing Qatar’s status as GTL capital of the world,” added Sawan.

At the Forum, Qatar Shell released a GTL Jet Fuel research summary, a publication exploring the technical boundaries of GTL aviation fuels that will be of interest to industry observers.

The ability of GTL-containing jet fuels to power aircraft has been known for many years; however, the detailed research programme of the Qatar GTL Aviation Fuels Consortium has helped confirm the fuel’s potential.

The Consortium was put together four years ago with the express intention of looking above and beyond the capacity of GTL Fuels to fly planes. It aimed to fully quantify the impact on local air quality and fuel burning amid growing international concerns about the environment and the potential scarcity of fuels.

According to Youssif Saleh, General Manager of Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre, this was the first multinational, global study on GTLs and has left a lasting legacy for Qatar and the wider knowledge and potential of GTL fuels.

“This research into breakthrough products has been the perfect opportunity for QSRTC to further its commitment to support Qatar on its journey to develop a knowledge-based economy, and aligns perfectly with the Qatar National Research Strategy theme of Energy and Environment,” said Saleh.

“Our role is not only to create a leading research center in Qatar but to propel the research from laboratory to engine, spreading the tangible benefits of ground-breaking research so that they are felt around Qatar and around the world.”

The GTL jet fuel was first approved for use in civil aviation in September 2009, followed by Qatar Airways operating the world’s first commercial flight using a 50/50 GTL jet fuel blend on a flight from London to Doha. Meanwhile, in January 2013 Qatar Shell, Qatar Airways and Qatar Petroleum celebrated the first commercial introduction of GTL Jet A-1 with the inaugural fuelling of a Qatar Airways aircraft with the fuel at Doha.

Qatar Airways’ private jet division Qatar Executive has strengthened its position as a leader in maintenance services for Bombardier aircraft in Qatar and the Middle East after the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority granted regulatory approvals for the airline’s subsidiary to conduct Base Maintenance services for Bombardier Challenger 604 and 605s and the manufacturer’s Global series of aircraft.

Fuelled by exceptional customer response, Qatar Executive’s Technical Operations received demand for services for its existing Line Maintenance services from business aviation operators and private jet owners.

The corporate jet subsidiary has now expanded its service offering with heavy maintenance checks at its 6,400 square metre dedicated hangar at Doha International Airport.

Qatar Executive completed its first 1C and 2C Check on its Global 5000 last month. In parallel to the C Check, Service Bulletins were incorporated, bright work polished and Teflon paint protection applied resulting in an investment of 620 man-hours.

The next C Checks are already scheduled for two of the airline’s Challenger 605 aircraft in May and June.

The enhanced maintenance offering underpins Qatar Executive’s status as a Bombardier Authorised Service Facility (ASF) in the Middle East with its existing Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) and EASA-Part 145 certifications to support European and Qatari registered Bombardier aircraft.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, who also heads up the airline’s private jet division, said, “The upgraded authorisation expands our business aviation service portfolio significantly and is an important step towards establishing Qatar Executive as a premier private jet Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Facility in the Middle East.”

“This added base maintenance capability is great news for operators and private jet owners, as they can now perform this work in Doha thereby saving costly ferry flights to their maintenance bases and minimising downtimes,” he added.

The recent maintenance upgrade is part of Qatar Executive’s expansion strategy which foresees substantial investments in its fleet renewal, private jet on-ground facilities as well as its maintenance operations.

A highly skilled team of seasoned licensed engineers and technicians is available not just at Qatar Executive’s Doha-base, but can also be quickly dispatched throughout the region to resolve technical defects and Aircraft-On-Ground issues (AOG recovery service).

In line with Qatar Executive’s testament to highest levels of service delivery and customer satisfaction, the Maintenance Service Centre operates on a 24/7 basis providing support to customer requirements round the clock, when other maintenance providers in the region are closed.

Qatar Executive’s maintenance service portfolio is complemented by its spare parts service and aircraft interior deep-cleaning, exterior washing, as well as bright work polishing to keep up client aircraft appearances.

Qatar Executive’s Maintenance Service Centre provides scheduled inspections and repair services and can be reached via its 24-hour customer support number.

Being part of a well-established award-winning full service global network airline Qatar Airways, Qatar Executive customers can be rest assured to receive highest standards of service in terms of quality, comfort, confidentiality and security provided by highly trained crew.

Founded in 2009, Qatar Executive today operates a wholly-owned all-Bombardier fleet of six aircraft, comprising three Challenger 605s, two Global 5000s and one Global XRS - a number set to grow in the near future.

Air Charter International (ACI), the Dubai-based aircraft charter and leasing company, has signed a partnership agreement with the UAE headquartered risk assessment company Special Security Defence Services (SDSS).

The new agreement, which is effective immediately, positions ACI as the exclusive aviation provider for SDSS clients needing air evacuation services. In addition SDSS will provide ACI with on the ground evacuation expertise and planning.

The new deal has been driven by the need to provide support to the growing number of oil and gas companies that are operating in increasingly remote, challenging and often post conflict areas.

ACI already offers evacuation plans that have been tailored to each individual client and in a crisis situation provides initial air transportation out of the affected region. With the new agreement in place ACI and SDSS will be able to offer an integrated air and ground evacuation solution to international clients.

ACI will manage the air services, whilst SDSS will co-ordinate the ground aspects of a crisis situation. Both parties will have access to, and be able to offer clients, round the clock air evacuation support service, “what-if” scenarios, complete risk assessments and fully integrated pre-planned evacuation charts.

“In today’s world, risk appears in many complex forms and very few situations are ever the same. Our clients rely on us having the knowledge and experience to extract personnel in danger in the safest and most secure manner possible. By partnering with SDSS we have widened our scope of services to improve our evacuation planning and offer a more holistic approach to crisis situations. Clients can be assured of a collaborative and unified approach to the evacuation,” said Caroline Jongma, Charter Sales Manager, ACI.

ACI has previously worked informally with a number of emergency response companies but with the development of the oil and gas sector client base the formalization of an agreement with an established security driven company became necessary.

“SSDS provides highly trained risk management personnel and has a proven track record for handling evacuations in a variety of locations. This experience and knowledge combined with the twenty years of aviation operational acumen held by ACI makes for a powerful partnership and will better serve both sets of clients,” concludes Jongma.

ACI noting a growth in handling of charters with potential risk or unusual nature

The signing of the SDSS contract has also been heralded by the increased amount of unusual, risk associated or dangerous cargo charters that ACI is handling. In early April ACI assisted the rescue team of a damaged vessel, containing a large amount of steel, that was sinking off the coast of Oman. The situation required a low level aerial survey to establish the next operational steps and ACI sourced a Hawker 800 with a crew that were able to fly at very low altitude to establish the extent of damage. Special permits were needed from the Oman Civil Aviation authority to approve the low altitude survey and the whole situation was managed by ACI’s Special Project Manager Ian McEwan who joined the flight to monitor the task was completed within approximately three hours.

Later in April ACI managed the movement of a demining machine - equipment that removes landmines from the ground - from Bagram, Afghanistan on behalf of an international security firm working in the war torn country. The cargo which weighs over 20 tons, along with spare parts, was transported on board an Ilyushin 76 aircraft and took two hours to load correctly.

“The cargo was on caterpillar tracks and was extremely heavy to maneuver. It required a purpose built wood platform on which to stand to protect the aircraft and airport tarmac from any damage making it a real challenge to handle,” commented McEwan who managed the loading onsite.

The machine was flown to Dubai World Central where it was then transported to Jebel Ali Port for its onward journey to Iraq.

“We flew this piece of equipment out to Bagram three years ago so knew how to handle the situation which is why the client returned to us. We have over two decades of experience handling outsized loads, unusual cargo and heavy weights which is why clients return to us on a regular basis. Our experience, knowledge and relationships with the regulatory authorities has established ACI as experts in the field and we are noting an increased demand from this sector of the charter market,” concluded McEwan.

UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), represented by Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Center, held a workshop on Global Navigation Surveillance System last week. Over 30 representatives from all over the local aviation industry as well as the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) participated in the workshop which was held in the main conference hall at GCAA headquarter in Abu Dhabi.

H.E Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of GCAA, attended the workshop and addressed the audience with a brief speech in which he emphasized on the value of cooperation and coordination among all stakeholders in the local aviation industry and the positive impact of this collaboration on the quality of services provided.

Al Suwaidi awarded workshop attendees and urged them to conclude valuable lessons to be learnt from the workshop to further advance UAE’s aviation industry.

The workshop program was prepared and supervised by Ms. Ahmed Al Jallaf, Executive Director of Air Navigation Services. Al Jallaf elaborated the significance of applying Global Navigation Surveillance System technology and the precision it provides. He also explained the importance of this technology to air traffic flow safety and reaffirmed GCAA’s commitment to share with the industry all latest technical applications and future outlook.

Experts from Global Aviation Consultancy presented in details the advantages of Global Navigation Surveillance System and the benefits of this technology on air navigation services.

As part of the workshop, a visit to Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Services was arranged. Attendees were extremely pleased and expressed their gratitude for this workshop and wished to have more similar workshop held in the near future.

Ahmed Al Jallaf, Executive Director of Air Navigation Services Sector, elaborated further on the impact of Global Navigation Surveillance System on airspace congestion. He also mentioned that UAE airspace will witness major improvement at the end of this month in cooperation with the Kingdom of Bahrain.

GCAA had already listed enhancement in air navigation services with stakeholders as a strategic objective for its triennial plan, and is currently working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to execute technical programs among state members as studies indicate the correlation between technical operation management and the quality of activities provided by air navigation services providers.

Shell Aviation and ExecuJet Middle East announced a new refueling partnership at Dubai International Airport, effective this month.

With this partnership, global aviation leader Shell is expanding its support to the regional aviation industry at the Dubai International Airport. A highly experienced team of Shell technical experts will be responsible for the day-to-day running of fuel operations at the Fixed Base Operation (FBO), ensuring round the clock and rapid access to fuel solutions.

The ExecuJet Dubai FBO is a state-of-the-art facility at Dubai International Airport, offering passengers and the aviation industry a diverse range of aircraft dispatch services, including specialized and tailored services to accommodate VIP, diplomatic and emergency flights. The ExecuJet passenger lounge offers customs and immigrations processing, prayer room, snacks, complimentary printed publications, a dedicated executive hospitality and business centre.

“Our partnership with Shell Aviation in Dubai stems from our long and proven working relationship which spans over 7 years. Having Shell’s permanent support at our Dubai FBO allows us to continue providing the highest level of service with the latest innovations in aviation fuel technology to our VIP clients,” said Mr. Mike Barry, Managing Director of ExecuJet Middle East.

“Shell Aviation’s new partnership with ExecuJet Middle East will provide customers at Dubai International Airport with exceptionally quick access to fuel even during peak times. ExecuJet is the ideal partner for this location given their impressive safety record, their quality of service as well as their deep understanding of the general aviation market. Working with ExecuJet we look forward to supporting the growth of the private regional aviation sector,” said Mr. Xavier Hery, General Manager - Shell Markets (Middle East) Limited.

The establishment of this partnership reflects Shell and ExecuJet’s ongoing commitment to supporting the economic growth of the UAE. As Dubai is set to achieve a target of 90 million air passengers by 2018, partnerships such as this will contribute in terms of infrastructure, technical support and high quality fuel required to meet this increasing demand.

Shane O’Hare, President and CEO of Royal Jet - the Abu Dhabi-based international luxury flight services company - identified the development of a strong infrastructure as amongst the main ingredients of a successful business formula for the Middle East’s business aviation industry.

In addition, O’Hare emphasized the importance of having a strong regulatory body which will encourage a well-structured support system and promote highly trained professionals throughout the industry who consistently put the customer at the core in the delivery of its products and services in order to make business aviation safe, efficient and reliable.

O’Hare was amongst the panellists who led a stimulating discussion on some of the industry hot topics attended by regulators, airports authorities, airline and avionics representatives.

Other panellists included Ms Laila bin Hareb, Executive Director, Strategy & International Affairs, GCAA; Dr Mark Pierotti, COO, Al Jaber Aviation; Wassim Saheb, Business Aircraft Sales Director, Bombardier and Quintin Cairncross, Group Flight Operations Director, ExecuJet Aviation Group.

Speaking at the Gulf Aviation Networking Event (GANE) on ‘New Developments and Future Opportunities in Business Aviation’ held at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai on 23 April, organised by Aviation Business, O’Hare, said, “What we’d like to see is a level playing field of well-funded, strong, professional operators in the region, able to deliver safe and reliable service. There has been a growth in demand for large aircraft such as the Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) while demand in the super mid-size market in the Middle East has likewise held up because of ready availability, resulting in downward pressure on revenue and yield in this category. Our research shows that there is a global demand today for large cabins and long range aircraft.”

Talking about the importance of dedicated airports in the region he said, “We applaud the innovative projects that exemplify the UAE government’s long term vision, including the development of Abu Dhabi’s Al Bateen Executive Airport and the facilities for executive jets at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport which is growing through its strategic location between Dubai and Abu Dhabi.”

“The far-reaching vision of the leadership to create an aviation hub in the UAE is indeed credible. We need to learn from these developments and stay ahead of the game. We hope other dedicated jet airports will bloom through the region and be geared up for the impending growth we expect,” he added.

The conference provided valuable update on the latest trends and regulatory issues within the Middle East business aviation market, and other issues that were discussed included the gray market, pricing and addressing the needs of customers from the Middle East market.

“There is no magic formula in business aviation. Companies which invest in their business - and their customer’s needs, will continue to outlive those that have aimed to ‘revolutionise’ the industry simply by offering a cheap price. Operators seeking quick gains soon realized that paying for market share with low prices is a short-term and short-sighted strategy,” O’Hare told conference participants which included providers, users and others working in the business jet sector.

In appreciation of its long standing contribution to the private jet industry, O’Hare received a commemorative plaque at the event on behalf of Royal Jet from Laila bin Hareb in celebration of its 10th anniversary this year.

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on behalf of global business finalized recommendations for World Trade Organization (WTO) member countries to salvage parts of on-going Doha trade negotiations that could boost global GDP by $960bn.

Several hundred business leaders and trade experts met for the ICC World Trade Agenda Summit, held on the first day of the ICC WCF 8th World Chambers Congress, the first ever Congress to be held in the Middle East.

Chief Executive Officer of Bahrain Airport Company (BAC), Mr. Mohamed Yousif Al- Binfalah, led the Kingdom of Bahrain’s delegation to the Passenger Terminal Expo and Conference 2013 held this month in Geneva, Switzerland.

During the visit, the Kingdom’s economic outlook was discussed and development plans for Bahrain International Airport (BIA) were showcased.

Passenger Terminal Expo and Conference is a world-leading event that provides an ideal networking platform. Every year, it brings together key-players in the airport and airlines sectors to showcase the latest innovations and trends. The prestigious event also features a conference that includes panel discussions and presentations from industry’s leading figures, allowing knowledge-sharing about: airport design, planning and development, intermodal transport, commercial development, passenger experience, self-service, check-in and baggage processing.

Mr. Mohamed Yousif Al- Binfalah was among the conference panelist, who contributed in the Airport Leaders Forum. He shared his valuable insight, while presenting the Bahrain Airport’s expansion and refurbishment plans.

BIA is undergoing infrastructural plans that will diversify, improve and expand the airport dramatically. It is in the final stages of the development, and it is anticipated to significantly bolster the airports standing as a regional hub when implemented.

Mr. Al Binfalah commented on BAC participation, and said “We are highly committed to providing exceptional travel experience in a secure, safe and comfortable manner. It is very important to learn from industry leaders during such prominent events in order to stay on top of the industry’s trends, and to be updated with latest technological and sustainability developments. This will indeed help us explore the best solutions that we can integrate within our development strategies to maintain BIA as a world-class airport.”

The Bahraini delegation also took part in other conference sessions, where they demonstrated active role during discussions in the following forums: airport design, airport connections, aviation security, climate change and sustainable planning, commercial development, customer services and passenger experience, management and operations, self-service and baggage processing, airport cluster, new technology systems integration, and passenger processing.

BAC is the authority responsible for enhancing BIA and increasing the airport’s contribution to the local economy in line with Vision 2030. In its’ operational role, BAC is responsible for elevating the airport’s operations, infrastructure and services. This is set to improve BIA capabilities; and to cater for the growing number of passengers as well as the changing demands of stakeholders. The culmination of the company’s efforts in managing BIA as a world-class airport has resulted in the win of various internationally-renowned awards, most recently the SKYTRAX Award for the Middle East’s Best Airport Staff. It has also received different nominations that listed BIA in the SKYTRAX world’s top 100 airports.

The biennial Gulf Aviation Training Event (GATE) takes place alongside the Dubai Airshow, 18 - 19 November 2013 at a brand new venue - Dubai World Central (DWC). This year’s summit is set to create debate with the challenging theme ‘Breaking the Paradigms: Training the Gulf’s New Generation of Aviators,’ highlighting the shortage of pilots in the region.

Summit Director Captain Ed Davidson, Vice President of Flight Operations for Porter Airlines, formerly Senior Vice President Flight Training at Emirates, will be leading industry experts to address controversial topics, challenge processes and develop innovative solutions to support the aviation industry’s future plans.

The summit has the backing of a strong panel including Captain Martin Mahoney, Senior Vice President Flight Training, Emirates, Captain Ken Gile, Chief Operating Officer, flydubai and Captain Lindsay Fenwick, Director of Safety, Amiri Flight.

CAE, the global leader in modelling, simulation and training, has been confirmed as the headline sponsor for the GATE 2013 summit. They are joined by Frasca International and Pan Am International Flight Academy as gold sponsors.

The Gulf’s three largest airlines - Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways, have all experienced exponential growth, creating large requirements for trained, qualified and experienced pilots; as highlighted in Boeing’s Current Market Outlook (CMO) 2012 - 2031 which predicts that 32,700 new pilots and 59,500 new skilled maintenance personnel are required to staff the region’s airlines between now and 2030.

Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director, F&E Aerospace, organisers of the event, said, “The Gulf’s aviation industry is facing a huge challenge - demand for pilots and technicians is growing due to rapid expansion and fleet investment - but with the return of GATE the only dedicated training event in the region; we are providing a platform for the industry to develop the solutions to these pressing issues.”