ExecuJet looks forward to upturn in Middle East activity in 2019

MEBAA, Dubai; 10 December 2018: ExecuJet, part of the Luxaviation Group, is exhibiting for the seventh time at the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) Show, from 10-12 December 2018, at Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (Chalet 598).

Mike Berry, Exec. VP Aviation Services and VP Middle East, Luxaviation Group, says: “The Middle Eastern business aviation market has been slow for the past two years. However, we are expecting to see improvements in 2019, especially in the latter half of the year, as issues with aircraft grounded during the Saudi anti-corruption cleanout and the Qatari political embargo should get ironed out and resolved.

“As a result of the widespread economic upturn, we are also expecting to see boosts in tourist traffic across the region over the coming months. This is an area that used to attract a lot of activity, from Russia in particular, but has dipped significantly in recent years. We are looking forward to handling more tourist and business aviation activity as we slowly get back up to pre-recession figures.

Update on new Dubai South facility

ExecuJet announced plans at last year’s Dubai Airshow that it would be relocating its entire FBO and MRO operations to a single facility located at Dubai South’s Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

The new facility’s design has been agreed and will be going out to tender in early 2019 with an estimated date for completion set for early 2020.

Berry says: “We began operating in Dubai in 1999 and opened a shared, single lounge FBO facility in 2007 with a team of just four ExecuJet employees. We have come an exceptionally long way in that time and our proposed expansion reflects the ambitious nature of everybody associated with the business. We look forward to welcoming customers to our new facility when it opens its doors in 2020.”

Internship success

ExecuJet’s Middle East MRO team has also undergone considerable growth with the graduation of nine engineers from its internship programme in November 2018. The graduates gained multiple OEM aircraft experience whist working alongside multinational mentors and colleagues at ExecuJet.

John Crook, Training Manager, ExecuJet, says: “The industry-wide shortage of qualified aviation professionals has a real impact on the availability of top engineers for aircraft maintenance. The only way to tackle this is to invest heavily in skills development. ExecuJet Middle East is dedicated to providing the next generation of highly skilled engineers, and thanks to the ongoing success of our internship programme, we are already seeing our MRO capabilities expand significantly.”

Bombardier ASF Awards

ExecuJet Middle East was announced as the Overall & International Winner at the 8^th Annual Bombardier Authorized Service Facility (ASF) Awards held at NBAA in Orlando, USA, marking ExecuJet’s eighth consecutive win since 2011.

Graeme Duckworth, Executive Vice President MRO Services, Luxaviation Group, was present to accept the award. He says: “Winning this award becomes more special every year as it is a true reflection of the hard work, commitment and dedication of our teams. This is the sixth Bombardier International Award and the third Overall ASF Excellence Award win for ExecuJet in the Middle East and we are very proud to be recognised by the Bombardier team.”

ENDS

About Luxaviation Group

Luxaviation is one of the largest private aircraft operators in the world. It is comprised of Luxaviation Helicopters, Starspeed and some of the world’s leading business aviation entities including ExecuJet.

The Group offers a wide range of services including aircraft management for private and commercially registered aircraft, charter, maintenance and fixed-base operations (FBOs).

Luxaviation operates globally across Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, under the regulatory umbrella of 15 air operator’s certificates (AOCs). Luxaviation has a global network of 27 FBOs which are operated under the ExecuJet brand.

Luxaviation’s commitment to service excellence also extends to its 15 maintenance and service centres worldwide, which are certified to work on most business jets. Combined, Luxaviation operates more than 260 jets and helicopters under the most stringent safety standards. Luxaviation currently employs more than 1,700 employees worldwide.

Further information: www.luxaviation.com.

Media Contacts:
Juliane von Heimendahl
ExecuJet
Tel: +41 76 356 8251
juliane.von.heimendahl@execujet.eu

Trudi Beggs / Julia Meadon / Jordan Wood
8020 Communications
Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 6310
luxaviation@8020comms.com

Regional Marketing Contact:
Karen Axworthy
ExecuJet Middle East
Tel: +971 4601 6353
karen.axworthy@execujet-me.com

Getting social? @ExecuJetAvGrp ‏#ExecuJet #Luxaviation #bizav #avgeek

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Paul Cremer

My name is Paul Cremer, and this marks my 42nd year working within the business and general aviation industry. Over this time, I’ve had the privilege of overseeing a diverse array of sector activities, ranging from aircraft charter and management to air ambulance services, ground operations, air traffic control, airport management, technology implementation, and the outsourcing services I currently manage.

In my role focused on delivering advisory, technology, and outsourcing services to aviation customers, I handle a wide spectrum of responsibilities. This includes overseeing International Trip Support, Operations Control Centre Services (OCC), Continuing Airworthiness Management Service (CAMO), Airworthiness Reviews, ARC Services, Aircraft Delivery and Re-delivery Support Services, Maintenance Coordination Services including AOG, Tech Ops (Maintenance Control Centre), and managing myairops software products. As the Head of Aviation Delivery, I lead the customer-facing delivery of Technology & Outsourcing products and services for the market, drawing upon a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and industry connections within Gama Aviation’s Technology and Outsourcing Strategic Business Unit.

My journey into Business and General Aviation began during my teenage years while still in school. I was fortunate enough to be welcomed into the industry, starting at a flying club, and later working at the Air Traffic Services Unit at Blackbushe Airport. There, I maintained the ATC Movement Logs in the Control Tower during weekends, solidifying my passion for aviation. Upon completing my schooling, I seized opportunities at Fairoaks Airport, where I began as Ground Crew while pursuing my Aerodrome Flight Information Service Officer’s license. Advancements in my career led me to the role of Air Traffic Services Manager.

Since joining Gama Aviation in 1996, I’ve held various positions, including Operations Manager (Post Holder), Operations & Commercial Manager, Commercial Manager, Operations Delivery Manager, Head of Business Aviation Delivery, and currently, Head of Aviation Delivery. This role encompasses Gama Aviation Group’s Gama Aviation, myairops, and FlyerTech companies.

In 2023, I was honoured to be invited to serve as the Chair of the Operations Working Group for the British Business & General Aviation Association. This opportunity allows me to contribute to industry initiatives within BBGA’s membership of nearly 200 industry companies, focusing on challenges such as regulatory compliance, Air Services Agreements, technological advancements, workforce development, operational matters, and sustainability.

Marc Bailey

Marc Bailey has spent his entire career in aviation and has worked in most areas of Aviation Services with scheduled airlines, MRO’s, military contract support and latterly with associations, government, and its agencies.

Marc represents your position in Europe (even post Brexit) – as President of ECOGAS (European Council of General Aviation Support) which maintains a voice with EASA. All the major member states are represented on the ECOGAS board. With EASA restructuring its meetings with industry, ECOGAS is now well positioned to represent our position in all areas following industry partnerships with the European Independent Maintenance Group and with ARPAS the new drone and autonomous association.

Marc is chair of the UKASF (United Kingdom Airworthiness Strategic Forum) as part of an initiative to develop Aviation Services across all aviation activities. The UKASF pulls together airlines, MROs, Rotary, Drones, and commercial GA bodies to work with CAA and DfT. The objective is for industry to take the lead to drive strategic issues to benefit all parties. We are well positioned after four years to continue our good work and with the re-established role of Chief Surveyor in the CAA we have a good focal point to do this.

Marc chairs the CAA Finance and Services Forum which allows industry in the UK to discuss in the financial plans for the CAA and the value for money delivered by those funds paid by industry. This is a new and valuable new platform for all parties.

Under recent developments Marc has formed an alliance with, ARPAS, AOPA, BHA and BBGA so that we can strengthen our voice under a joint ‘GA 4 Biz’ banner. This alliance is working to do everything possible to represent the industry’s business interests with UK government and to help realise the Government’s desire to make UK General Aviation a Global Leader in a post Brexit environment. GA4Biz – GA4Biz

The next Generation initiatives with industry and government have continued to develop with the retention platform now evolving into the “Aviation Skills Recruitment Platform”. The platform now not only offers a vehicle for those offering and seeking posts in aviation, it also provides pathways with its TalentView portion seeking to provide pathways for new entrants into our sector. The recruitment platform is being further developed to include training opportunities across a wide range of providers, from government agencies through academic bodies. Getting our next generation activities right in the UK over the next couple of years is our single most important issue which we in aviation must grab with both hands. Marc is playing a central role to help develop many of these channels.

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