Falcon Aviation, the growing Abu Dhabi-based
aviation services company, marked its biggest ever presence at the Dubai Airshow,
confirming an order for three new Leonardo AW169 helicopters on the opening day.
The new helicopter order is in readiness for
the start of a significant new offshore contract from early 2018 and 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.”
IS-BAH plans for 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.”
“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,” added Chief Operating Officer,
Captain Raman Oberoi. "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
Capt. 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." |