Royal Jet says strong infrastructure is key to success

                       
Shane O’Hare, Royal Jet CEO speaking at the first Gulf Aviation Network Event held in Dubai urged the aviation businesses in the Middle East to strive for a strong infrastructure in aviation.

A well regulated industry is a necessity, said O’Hare at the the first Gulf Aviation Network Event (GANE) business aviation conference. He also 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 emphasised 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 discussion on some of the industry 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, 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.”

O’Hare continued and spoke about the importance of dedicated airports in the region “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.”

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 the conference participants.

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 10^th anniversary this year.

Photograph: Shane O’Hare (right), CEO of Royal Jet receiving a commemorative plaque from Laila bin Hareb (centre) and Ken Mitchen, ITP Sales Director.