Biz Jets, Ag Flying, GA etc.The place for discussion of issues related to corporate, Ag and GA aviation. If you're a professional pilot and don't fly for the airlines then try here.
Never heard of them, but its nice to see some positive news for a change..
Al Jaber Aviation (Stand No. 415) yesterday unveiled details of its entry into the VIP and corporate aviation market and announced a $1.2 billion investment for the acquisition of no fewer than 21 aircraft. The first of its mixed fleet of large-cabin aircraft will enter service in February 2009 and will be based at the AJA initial base at City Airport Abu Dhabi (the former Al Bateen military air base).
An Embraer Legacy 600 will be the first aircraft to enter the AJA fleet, to be followed by a second of the 13-seat type, plus five 19-seat Embraer Lineage 1000s and eight next-generation Legacy 450/500 mid-sized jets with six to nine seats. Heading the fleet will be four Airbus A318 Elites with 19 seats, to offer unmatched cabin volume and the range to fly nonstop to all of Europe, Africa and Asia. Finally, two Airbus Corporate Jetliners with seating for up to 32 passengers
Heard that they dont have an AOC yet and some probs with their chief pilot.
I have seen the Global at Luton a few times and have seen their old 727 at Southend a good few years ago. Did not know thery where they same guy as Al Jaber!
Does own 46 ships, 1,000,000,000,000,000 land vehicles (possibly got a couple too many zeros there) and is one of the biggest construction companies in the Middle East. Owns the Shangri La franchise in the Middle East and is looking to become the biggest VIP operator (and corporate a/c maintenance provider) in the region.
Has on order 21 Embraers / A318 & A319s. Got a very smart Professor as CEO of the aviation division and it is going to be HUGE.
Last edited by RMC; 6th Jan 2009 at 09:52.
Reason: took a few zeros off
I had an offer from CP at Al Jaber 4 months ago but never had sight of the contract or got a call again. One of our skippers has just moved there and tells me CP was sacked about the same time so maybe I got lost in the transition. To be fair I didn't follow it up for personal reasons.
I would approach with a great deal of caution....something a bit smelly. Certainly unprofessional.
Jobs for this start up were hawked around a couple of months ago by a Jersey based recruitment company I had never previousley heard of then Xenon got hold a few weeks ago.
I know several individuals who were type rated and ticked all the right boxes but never so much as an acknowledgment.............and surprise surprise the jobs have disapeared from the agencies.
The jobs disappeared from Zenon at the same time that Al Jaber Aviation added a "Careers" button to their web site. My guess is that they didn't see the point in paying an agency to collect CVs once they had enabled their online capability.
The AOC target was (and still is as far as I know) next month. They have a new DFO. What A-Z says makes a lot of sense. With the package they are offering they don't need a third party anyway.
I wouldn't be impressed by those outfits. Press releases are certainly impressive and they all wanna be the biggest and best company in the region...as usual, but...Did they get their AOC? I'm not sure. Have they really setup their ops and ready to run???? I'm not sure. However, what I'm sure of is that these business men are just like spoiled children. The want the best of everything, once they have it, they just screw it...my 2 cents
My view would be look at the potential.....the ME corporate market has been expanding at well over 20% recently. Sure it may not continue at that rate...but it sure as hell can support another in the region.
Al Jaber have been through recessions before and not made many wrong choices
