Aviation Services Management (ASM) CEO, Vito Gomes, dives into the thriving private aviation market in the Middle East. He stresses the importance of relying on local knowledge when operating services in the region.
Led by UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, the Middle East is experiencing steady growth in terms of private jet movements. The region is becoming a travel hub link between the East and the West.
Private Sector Growth
This growth is beneficial for the entire sector, enhancing the suite of services available to customers. This includes charter, fuelling, and comprehensive flight support for crews, passengers, and aircraft owners alike.
Flight support services play a critical role in ensuring smooth and efficient travel by taking care of all logistical details. This involves flight planning, permits and regulations, crew management, fuelling, and ground handling even in the most remote runways.
Working with a Global Trip Support company like the Dubai-headquartered ASM, which has over 25 years of experience in the market, is paramount for a seamless experience.
ASM achieved a major milestone in September 2023 by acquiring an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). It is the only company in the region to offer flight support services, own aircraft, and provide aircraft management services under their own AOC.
Our fleet of private jets enables us to reach every corner of the Gulf Region by offering top-notch chartering services. We access many remote runways – not just the major airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha, or Bahrain.
Maximizing the Private Jet Experience
Operating a private aircraft demands careful handling. It relies heavily on the assistance of a committed team throughout the entire journey.
With a dedicated team of more than 70 professionals, uniquely positioned with established connections to local authorities, comprehensive experience, and extensive personnel knowledge, ASM provides an unparalleled level of service.
Our team is like a mini globe with licensed dispatchers and operations experts from so many countries around the world.
This diversity isn’t just cultural; it translates into an unmatched understanding of the global aviation industry.
The Middle East, with its strategic location and luxurious amenities, frequently hosts high-profile international events and business forums.
These events have a significant impact on aviation traffic, particularly for the private aviation sector. They attract a global audience of VIPs, corporate leaders, and entertainment figures seeking fast, flexible, and confidential travel options.
The influx of aircraft requires meticulous planning and coordination to ensure smooth operations, highlighting the critical role of trip support service providers like ASM.
Trip support services are pivotal in managing the complexities that come with increased traffic during such events.
Regional Understanding
ASM, with its deep understanding of the regional aviation landscape and strong relationships with local authorities and service providers, plays an essential role in facilitating these operations.
Securing overflight and landing permits in a timely manner is vital. So too is arranging for ground handling services and ensuring VIP treatment for passengers.
Furthermore, ASM’s ability to offer tailored services, including bespoke flight planning, in-flight concierge services, and on-ground arrangements. This adds a layer of personalization that enhances the overall experience.
The role of private aviation extends far beyond the realms of luxury travel and business logistics, playing a pivotal role in medical emergencies and humanitarian missions.
We operate a fleet of Learjet 60XRs and Cessna Citation Sovereign. As such, ASM stands at the forefront of offering critical medical evacuation services, including bed-to-bed transfers.
The ability to offer bed-to-bed transfers is a key component of ASM’s medical evacuation service.
This comprehensive approach ensures that patients are carefully transported from their current location to the receiving medical facility. This means minimal disruption and maximum care throughout the journey.
Plenty of Room For Growth
New economic activities are fuelling the region, beyond oil and the establishment of multinational companies. In this respect, the Middle East continues to undergo a significant transitional phase.
This creates opportunities as the private and public sectors need tools to drive increased economic impact, with private aircraft being one of them.
The Middle East’s private aviation infrastructure is experiencing notable growth, evidenced by recent developments of new FBO terminals and VIP lounges in the region.
This enhances the region’s capacity to accommodate more aircrafts and offering a range of premium services required by Private jet travellers.
The need for increased investment in infrastructure, aside from the larger Gulf hubs is also crucial for the region to reach its potential.
More aircraft are expected in the next 10 years which will require more parking and slot allocation efficiency.
While the Middle East currently represents roughly 5% of global general aviation, I firmly believe that this figure will significantly increase over the next five to ten years, and once again, investment plans in infrastructure will be pivotal in achieving this.
In a nutshell, the private aviation market in the Middle East is a thriving ecosystem with experienced players in various locations.
Though still underdeveloped compared to the leading markets worldwide, countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are paving the way in terms of infrastructure, technology, and premier services.
They are poised to continue leading the growth of this fascinating industry for years to come.
Moreover, companies with decades of experience and established relationships with various operators, authorities, vendors, and other stakeholders are in a prime position to deliver a comprehensive range of services to local and international customers seeking to invest and conduct business in the region.
About Aviation Services Management (ASM)
Established in 1998, Aviation Services Management (ASM) is headquartered in Dubai with multiple representative offices worldwide.
ASM has set the standard for excellence in the aviation industry, offering a holistic aviation solution across commercial and general aviation.
With a legacy spanning more than 25 years, ASM prides itself on its comprehensive, round-the-clock Trip Support services, including fuelling, flight planning, permits, ground handling, flight tracking and supervision, flight diversion management, private jet charters, HOTAC and luxury concierge services.
It is recognized by leading international industry organizations such as NBAA, EBAA, ALTA, AfBAA and IATA.
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