Al Bateen Executive Airport and Falcon Aviation Services conclude lease agreement.

Wednesday 7th March 2012

7th March, 2012, Abu Dhabi, UAE:

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has concluded a long term land lease agreement with Falcon Aviation Services (FAS) at Al Bateen Executive Airport. The lease covers an area to the west of the airport where FAS has just commissioned a new 10,000 square metre hangar to support its corporate helicopter and private jet charter and MRO business.

FAS is the longest established base operator at Al Bateen, launching operations in 2006 with only 2 aircraft. The company has grown to be a key player in the region today with over 250 staff, 35 aircraft and a diverse portfolio of business activities including transport services to the Offshore Oil & Gas industry, Abu Dhabi Helicopter Tourism, Air Ambulance Services, Private Jet and Helicopter Charters, Aircraft Management and the newly emerging 3rd Party MRO services for both VIP Jets and Helicopters.

The agreement was signed by H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman & CEO, Falcon Aviation Services and H.E. Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Airports Company at the inaugural Middle East general aviation exhibition, Abu Dhabi AirExpo, held at Al Bateen Executive Airport.

The show, a first for the region, runs from the 6th until the 8th of March and brings together more than 100 companies and over 5,000 visitors to discover the latest in general aviation technology and innovation. Aircraft exhibitors include Gulfstream, Embraer, Bombardier, Hawker and Cessna and AirExpo will, for the first time in the Middle East, showcase the fastest single turboprop in the world, the TBM 850, which can achieve a speed of 593 km/h.

H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman & CEO, Falcon Aviation Services, said:"Falcon Aviation Services has witnessed Al Bateen's rapid transformation into a world class business aviation facility in a very short time and is proud to have been there from the start"

H.E. Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Airports Company said: "Falcon Aviation Services has played a key part in Al Bateen's success, accounting for a significant share of business, and ADAC looks forward to playing its part in supporting the future development of one of its most important base operators.

ADAC recently published full year 2011 traffic results for Al Bateen, highlighting an 11% increase in overall commercial aircraft movements and a more than 50% increase in visiting aircraft movements versus the previous year.

This strong performance was validated by pilots in a 2012 survey carried out by prestigious media publication, EBAN (European Business Aviation News), where DhabiJet was voted best FBO in the Middle East; and 4th best in Middle East and Europe following its first year of operations.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) has already invested US$50 million in turning the 50 year-old military airport into a luxury business aviation gateway with an impressive VVIP passenger terminal. Further plans are in place to develop new commercial facilities, hangars, apron enhancements, utilities and runway work.

Photo: L to R H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Chairman & CEO, Falcon Aviation Services, H.E. Khalifa Al Mazrouei, Chairman, Abu Dhabi Airports Company.

www.albateenairport.com