Falcon Aviation to have its biggest Dubai Airshow presence Will add three more Leonardo AW169s to helicopter fleet

Monday 13th November 2017

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Falcon Aviation, the growing Abu Dhabi-based aviation services company, is marking its biggest ever presence at the Dubai Airshow this week.  12th to 16th November (Stand 1284).   On the opening day of the Show the Company confirmed an order for three additional new Leonardo AW169 helicopters, in readiness to start a significant new offshore contract from early 2018.   The new aircraft will bolster Falcon Aviation's fleet of the type to five.

As a pioneer of the AW169 in the Middle East since 2016, Falcon Aviation has successfully logged 500 incident free hours with the popular multi-role Class I Performance medium category helicopter, flying private charters and in fulfilling offshore contract with oil company TOTAL.   Falcon Aviation has quickly grown to become fleet leader in the offshore fraternity worldwide, flying 100 hours in the past month, reflecting an overall increase in helicopter flying following the launch of the Falcon Aviation managed heliport at Dubai DWC Airport this May.

Vice Chairman and CEO of Falcon Aviation His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan: "I am pleased to say that we have enjoyed an exceptional year in 2017 and I pay tribute to the team for their hard work and dedication.  I foresee that 2018 will be an even stronger year with the expansion of activity in Dubai and in particular, expansion into new territories we look forward to confirming in due course. Dubai Airshow this week is therefore an important show and showcase for our capabilities, as we grow our business in the UAE with new partners."

Three aircraft in the static park

Falcon will showcase both the AW169 in VIP configuration and one of its two multi-role 19-seat AW189 helicopters.  Complementing the static line up is a Bombardier Q400 NG in Falcon Aviation colours.  The latter will show outside Bombardier's chalet.

Falcon Aviation plans IS-BAH status for its Dubai DWC FBO

Falcon Aviation has been undertaking its own handling at its one year old FBO at Dubai South DWC, just as it does at its Al Bateen Executive Airport, Abu Dhabi HQ.  And now with newly appointed FBO Manager Ahmad Badreddine who joins with aviation experience from a large international FBO brand, leading an 24-strong experienced team, Falcon Aviation will pursue recognised IS-BAH accreditation.

Ahmed Badreddine commented; "I am very pleased to join Falcon Aviation Services as FBO Manager. I believe with my experience and the talented team we can take the FBO forward and build up our customer base in GCC and beyond."

Falcon Aviation is pleased to host Dubai Airshow guests at its FBO on 13th, 14th and 15th November.  

"We are very satisfied with our expansion in Dubai these past 12 months, building up a loyal and diverse customer base at our DWC FBO," Capt Raman added. More operators are coming to us for MRO and AOG line maintenance too as we build up that side of the business to mirror our expertise at Al Bateen."  One of the company's biggest customers is Dubai-based Empire Aviation.

Most recently, Falcon Aviation has added the Pilatus PC-12, as exclusive maintenance provider to its capabilities, a relationship that will be expanded to the PC-24 light jet, says Nicolas Tejera, Director of Maintenance.  Falcon Aviation is UAE launch customer of the aircraft and will introduce two to service in 2019.

Some 450 employees from 54 nationalities are helping Falcon Aviation realise its exciting expansion plans, which centre on a brand new 20,000sqm MRO hangar project taking shape in DWC, to be ready for the last quarter of 2018.  Construction started earlier this year.

"Our whole ethos and focus is diversity," says Captain Raman.  "We are unique in the aviation business, in the UAE and probably internationally, in offering such an extensive range of services. " He attributes the company's success to being quick to seize opportunities and also having the confidence and expertise to recommend enhancements in the pursuit of new contracts. Working with our suppliers and customers in close partnership is crucial to us.

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