Falcon Aviation expands maintenance service centre capability with Pilatus PC-12

Wednesday 14th June 2017

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Partners with GI Aviation for PC-12 maintenance, hangarage in the UAE.

Falcon Aviation, the UAE's leading aviation company specialising in business aviation services, charter and aircraft management, is expanding its MRO activity in the growing turboprop market with a Pilatus PC-12 service centre at its Al Bateen Executive Airport Hangar facility.

Under the warranty services of Pilatus Aircraft and with the backing of AMAC Aerospace, the OEM's exclusive sales representative in the Middle East*, Falcon Aviation has ratified a new partnership agreement with PC-12 charter operator GI Aviation to provide line and base maintenance, plus regional AOG support.

The relationship extends to parking, handling and hangarage at Falcon Aviation's Hangar facilities at Al Bateen Executive Airport and FBO facilities at Dubai South, Al Maktoum International Airport.

GI Aviation pioneered commercial charter services with the PC-12 in January, following the award of GCAA certification in December 2016.  It is currently working with Falcon Aviation (on the re-registration) of its newly accepted second PC-12NG.

"We are very pleased to be supporting the increasingly popular PC-12 which is opening up an exciting new entry level for affordable charter here in the UAE and beyond," said Falcon Aviation Director of Maintenance, Nicolas Tejera, "We will be supporting these aircraft with significant investment in parts and tooling and dedicated engineering team and technicians."

"The majority of Falcon's work under our GCAA maintenance certification will be supporting third party customers on a variety of business aviation models," added Ronnie McCrae, Service Centre Manager.

"We are investing in appropriate infrastructure and technical support for the region to help new operators like GI Aviation grow.  We can see them providing excellent feeder opportunities, not just to the larger private jet companies but also to the commercial airlines.  We are very enthusiastic about the super versatile PC-12 and PC-24.  These aircraft are real game-changers in the Middle East," stated Captain Raman Oberoi, COO, Falcon Aviation.

"Having local support on the ground and in the field from a proficient and long-established business aviation maintenance organisation, especially in any AOG situation, is an important component of our overall offering.  We are very pleased therefore to team with Falcon Aviation as our ground partner and are looking forward to a long term relationship with their team," said Marios Belidis, General Manager of GI Aviation.

Falcon Aviation and the PC-24

Falcon Aviation's relationship with the Swiss manufacturer will further expand in the future to include the PC-24 versatile light twin jet, both charter operations and MRO support.  This is a natural progression following its commitment to acquire two aircraft for delivery from Spring 2019.

*AMAC Aerospace is marketing the versatile, high speed PC-12 in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Yemen, Kuwait, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Turkey.

About Falcon Air

•    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 significantly large 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 a 12 strong fixed wing fleet including two  Embraer Legacy 600s, one Lineage 1000, three Gulfstream G450/G550s and six Bombardier Q400 turboprops.  Three of the six Q400s are currently leased to Qazaq Air. Falcon Aviation also operates a variety of helicopters consisting of - 10 Bell 412EPs; five Airbus Helicopters EC130B4s; six AW109S/SPs, two AW189s and two 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.

•    In May Falcon Aviation achieved approval from the GCAA to perform third party line maintenance at its new Dubai South facility at Al Maktoum International Airport base in Dubai, co-located 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.) as well as the Pilatus PC-12 turboprop.

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, Pilatus, Airbus and Bell helicopters.