Falcon Aviation achieves GCAA approval for line maintenance support at Dubai South, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Monday 8th May 2017

Falcon Aviation, the UAE's leading business aviation services, charter and aircraft management Company, has achieved approval from the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to perform third party line maintenance at its new Dubai South facility at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) base in Dubai. This facility is co-located along with its FBO facility in the VIP Terminal.

Aircraft types it has been cleared to work on include the Gulfstream G450/G550; Embraer 135/145 regional jets and Embraer 190/Lineage 1000. (Falcon Aviation is already an Authorised Service Centre for Embraer Executive Jets at its Abu Dhabi Al Bateen Executive Airport base.)

Falcon Aviation is also GCAA approved to provide maintenance support for the Pilatus PC-12 at DWC, complementing the support it provides to the region's first PC-12 commercial operator, GI Aviation at Al Bateen. This will give added advantage to GI Aviation as it prepares to start operating its second PC-12 in the Gulf region.

Falcon Aviation's line maintenance approval at Dubai South also extends to Airbus Helicopters, including the EC130, Bell 412, Leonardo AW189, AW169 and AW109. Falcon Aviation's also offering operations from the new adjacent Heliport, which formally opened last month under Falcon Aviation's AOC.

"We are very pleased to be expanding our expertise at our new Dubai South Base," said Falcon Aviation Director of Maintenance, Nicolas Tejera. "Accordingly, we have merged our extensive AOG teams at Al Bateen with Dubai South (DWC) and have recruited and trained up more aircraft engineers so they can multi-task at either of these bases. This means we can offer our clients the flexibility they need with line support, coupled with a strong availability of inventory and spare parts."

"We are offering customers easy access to reposition between Abu Dhabi and Dubai South (DWC)," added Ronnie McCrae, Service Centre Manager, which will be especially convenient for helicopter operators. There are increasing constraints regarding hangar space in Dubai so our offering will be welcomed by the numerous companies we support," he added.

Falcon Aviation estimates that bulk of its activity will be in supporting third party customers, versus its own charter and managed fleet.

Having embarked on a recruitment and training drive these past six months, Falcon Aviation has some 220 licensed engineers and technicians in its dedicated MRO team, reflecting the importance Falcon Aviation places on aviation services activity. It is progressing with plans to open a 20,000 sqm MRO hangar facility at DWC, on course to open at the end of 2018.

"This is all part of our long-term plan to offer a full one-stop-shop offering in the region. Line maintenance and AOG support is a crucial part of that," added Nicolas Tejera. "We are very excited by this challenge and are looking forward to creating a solid proposition for full service support for business aviation operators and owners in the region."

Falcon Aviation is committed to building important infrastructure in the region. "Not just for its own operations, but to support others as they expand too," Captain Raman Oberoi, Falcon Aviation's COO has pledged.

Falcon Aviation will offer dedicated maintenance support for Gulfstream, Embraer and Bombardier aircraft and helicopters accredited by the GCAA and EASA. It will also offer 24/7 AOG support and aircraft parking.

About Falcon Aviation:

• Falcon Aviation, founded in 2006, is a leading business aviation services company, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Since its creation, under the patronage of HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, has built up a sound reputation for high quality and innovative services, serving a loyal customer base. It has become synonymous with safety, quality and excellent customer service.

• Falcon Aviation is based at Al Bateen Executive Airport, the premier VIP airport in the UAE, within Abu Dhabi City. Falcon Aviation delivers a variety of aviation services from private jet and executive helicopter charter with a diverse fleet of business jets and helicopters; third party aircraft management, MRO, CAMO, commercial aircraft leasing and oil and gas aviation support.

• It operates 12 strong fixed wing fleet including 2 Embraer Legacy 600, 1 Lineage 1000 and 3 Gulfstream G450/G550s and 6 Bombardier Q400 turboprops. The three Q400s out of six are currently leased to Qazaq Air. Falcon Aviation also operates a variety of helicopters consisting of - 10 Bell 412EPs; 3 Airbus Helicopters EC130B4s; 4 AW109S/SPs, 2 AW189s and 2 AW169s.

• In December last year, coinciding with the MEBAA Show, it opened its luxurious new FBO at the VIP Dubai South Terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). The 1,000 sqm state-of-the art facility offers two VIP lounges, with en suite bathrooms; a refreshment and coffee bar; cigar lounge, boardroom-style meeting facilities; prayer room; shower facilities and access to a dedicated VIP Terminal Duty Free. The facility extends to a children's play area and pets room.

• In April this year Falcon Aviation inaugurated a Heliport, adjacent to Dubai South VIP Terminal at DWC. Run and managed by Falcon Aviation personnel, the Heliport is open to all operators, corporates and private individuals arriving with their business jets at VIP Terminal. It is the first in the region to facilitate quick and convenient helicopter charters between Dubai and Abu Dhabi in just 30 minutes. Other significant time savings on popular destinations include: Dubai South to Ras Al Khaimah - 45 minutes; Dubai South - Diba, 45 minutes; Dubai South- Fujairah 40 minutes and to Qasr Al Sarab Resort - 1 hour, 15 minutes.

• Falcon Aviation is a founding member of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) and an authorised service centre for Embraer Executive Jets and warranty service centre for Gulfstream. The MRO is also providing services for Bombardier, Gulfstream, Leonardo, Airbus and Bell helicopters.

www.falconaviation.ae