Civil Aviation Authority

A tantalizing rumour of recent times has been the suggestion of the establishment of an indigenous manufacturing facility in the region. Mubadala Aerospace, a business unit of Mubadala Development Company, has given credence to the rumours by announcing its intention to develop the capability to design, manufacture and assemble aircraft in Abu Dhabi.

Speculation intensified when Mubadala became a shareholder in Piaggio in 2006 and currently holds 31,5% of the company. Piaggio has already been reported as developing a business jet and this could offer a convenient peg for an indigenous project. Speaking just prior to the MEBA show opening, market analyst Brian Foley noted that, of about 550 business jets based in the Middle Eastern countries, nearly 90%were considered medium-or large-size jets. This fleet perspective is significant, because the worldwide average was closer to 60% .And it is a measure of utility, not just luxury and prestige.

Business aircraft sales in the Middle East peaked in 2007 and took a tumble with the rest of the world in late 2008."Here, however, the market swing was less extreme than in the USA," Foley pointed out."But it's fair to say that all operators took a lesson from this economy. Today they're a lot more cost-conscious and increasingly sophisticated in their use of planes and other assets." Foley sees conditions as improving now, with smart operators snapping up late model pre-owned aircraft at prices 30% lower in this buyers market.

The Show Itself

Of course, this economic promise is an irresistible lure for manufacturers of business aircraft and the attendance at MEBA of such a wide range of products was proof of this, with the larger, "long-legged " types tending to dominate. Cessna showed a wide range of its business jet and propeller aircraft, backed up by the attendance of Trevor Esling,vice president ,International Sales, Cessna ,and Saad Wallan,Chairman ,Wallan Aviation (Cessna Authorized Sales Representative). Included in the static display were the Citation CJ4, Citation X, Skyhawk, Grand Caravan and Corvalis TT.

Embraer is very conscious of the areas importance and showcased its ultra-large Lineage 1000 executive jet together with the light Phenom 300 and the newly certificated large Legacy 650 executive jets. The Legacy 650 with its 3900 nautical mile range recently demonstrated its capabilities with a non-stop flight from Dubai to London, with occupants on board. This significant increase in range was accomplished through extensive airframe modifications, such as reinforced wings and landing gear, larger fuel capacity and new highly efficient and more powerful Rolls-Royce AE3007A2 engines.

Embraer has delivered the first ultra large Lineage 1000 executive jet to VIP charter company Falcon Aviation Services (FAS), of Abu Dhabi, UAE.The handover ceremony was held at the MEBA static display and is the first of two Lineage 1000 jets ordered by FAS in November 207, along with commitments for more Embraer executive jets.

Saudi Aramco has been welcomed as a new Embraer 170 jet operator in Saudi Arabia. Its first aircraft, delivered at the end of November, was followed by other Embraer 170s towards year-end. Embraer has now appointed ExecuJet Aviation Group, in Dubai (UAE), as a new Embraer Authorized Service Centre (EASC) for the Legacy 600 and Legacy 650 executive jets. ExecuJet will provide scheduled and unscheduled maintenance services at Dubai International Airport. This move reinforces the Embraer Customer Support and Services network in the Middle East, which now has authorized service centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai and a dedicated spare parts distribution centre in Dubai.

This appointment coincides with the recent delivery of the first Legacy 650 large executive jet in the region. This was to an undisclosed customer from Jordan. The aircraft will be managed, on behalf of its owner, by private jet charter operator Arab Wings, also based in Jordan. Honeywell's new primus Elite avionics suite also equips the Legacy 650 and future Legacy 600s. Due to the excellent performance in hot and high conditions, allowing operations up to temperatures of 50 degrees centigrade, both aircraft have been very successful in the Middle East market, where over 20 are currently in operation.

During the show, it was announced that ABS Jets, a Prague-based company, has received authorization to carry out maintenance of UAE-registered aircraft. ABS Jets has obtained CAR145 approval that enables it to carry out the full range of maintenance services for clients with Embraer aircraft-the legacy 600, phenom 100 and Phenom 300.

Further up the size-scale, two Airbus corporate jets were on show, highlighting their success in the region. These were an A318 Elite operated by Al Jaber Aviation (AJA) and an Airbus Corporate Jet (ACJ) based in Bahrain and operated by Comlux.AJA began offering its Airbus A318 Elite for VIP charter Flights earlier this year and is the first Airbus customer from the region to offer this services. It is also the largest Airbus customer for charter aircraft in the Middle East, having ordered four A318 Elites and two Airbus ACJs.

Comlux is one of Airbus' largest corporate jet customers and currently has an A318 Elite and an Airbus ACJ based in Bahrain. On the eve of the show, Rizon Jet, of Doha, Qatar, announced that it was to become a new operator of an ACJ, which it will manage on behalf of the new Gulf customer who ordered it last year. Delivery of the "green" Airbus ACJ is planned for this year, with the outfitted aircraft being handed over to the customer in 2012.

328 Support Services GmbH made its mark by announcing the launch of its new VIP 328DBJ TM at MEBA. This aircraft replaces the "Envoy" version of the 328 and will be the standard for all future VIP conversions. Two more 328DBJ TM aircraft are being completed in BAVARIA FOR Sky Bird Air; a Nigerian customer.SkyBird will also be taking delivery of a completed 328 airliner featuring the same colours and materials as the VIP interior.

East Africa has been the hub for both cargo and passengers flights especially within Eastern,Central,Southern,Northern Africa, United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan & Europe. It serves the Humanitarian & Relief Flights for cargo and passengers, Air Ambulance, Emergency & Medical Evacuation Flights,V.I.P Executive Private Flights, Executive Private Jet Flights, Cargo for both bulky and unbulky globally. Also it is the hub for flights to war torn countries like DR Congo, Central Africa Republic, Mozambique, South Sudan, Chad, Somalia, Afghanistan, and Darfur among other countries.

There are International flights arriving into and departing in Kenya at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Nairobi, Moi International Airport Mombassa and connecting to various countries in Africa. These flights also fly in tourists who arrive and depart directly from Moi International Airport to Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo East/West, Malindi, Lamu, Diani Beach, Wasini Island, and Funzi Island in Kenya

And to Zanzibar and Pemba Island in Tanzania. The tourist can take commercial flights to Masai Mara and Amboseli and private charter flights to other destinations as there is only one daily service to Masai Mara via Malindi, Ukunda ,Amboseli to Masai Mara and in the afternoon back to Mombassa for the rest you can take road transport or private charter.

Arriving flights at Jomo Kenyatta fly in tourists who connect direct to National Parks & Reserves or drive to Wilson Airport to connect either commercial flights or private charters. Since the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority do not grant permission to foreign aircraft to fly cargo out of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport without an Air Service License which you must have a registered company in Kenya there are air charter operators that you can partner with and use their license.

Air news around the World,

(a) Kenyan Flights Expansion.

The National Carrier Kenya Airways has leased Boeing 767-300 ER from ILFC for an 18-month period in addition to the existing B767-300ER. Also Jet link Express has leased an additional Bombardier CRJ, bringing its fleet to three for CRJs.

(b) Rwanda Expands its Scheduled Services to South Africa.

Rwanda has again introduced scheduled services linking its capital city Kigali direct to Johannesburg. It also during the month of February 2010 introduced flights to the Tanzanian port city of Daresalam via Bujumbura and flights to Goma and Kinshasa in the DRC will follow by end of March 2010.It has also plans to add one each BOEING 767 and Boeing 737-800 in March 2010 in addition of the two recently acquired Bombardier CRJ regional Jets.

(c) Nigeria Increases its Scheduled Services.

Arik Air ,Nigeria's largest Airline, has expanded its extensive regional services with the launch of flights between Abuja and Accra (Ghana) Bajui(Gambia) and Dakar(Senegal).This being new services introduced by Arik Air from Nigeria's capital,Abuja,to points in West Africa and will operate twice weekly non-stop services between Abuja and Accra using Boeing 737-700 aircraft. In supplement, Arik Air has launched further regional services between Lagos and Cotonou (Benin) and Dakar (Senegal) including new non-stops services between Lagos and Dakar. A Bombardier CRJ900s aircraft operate the routes, one of the four CRJ1900s in the airlines fleet.

(d) DR Congo's BizAfrika Congo And SA Express Enter into A Joint Venture Forming Congo Express.

Lubumbashi, Kinshasha, Mbuji Mayi is now being served by a new regional airline Congo Express. The airline is a joint venture and collaboration between established Congolese business, BizAfrika Congo and SA Express, one of the fastest growing regional carriers on the continent. Congo Express is set to flourish as an extension of the recently re-launched SA Express brand, which aims to offer customers abespoke, seamless travel experience. Siza Mzimela, CEO of SA Express is proudly positioned as the premier intra-regional African brand.

The airlines long-term strategy is to transform air transport in the region-stimulating markets, developing hubs and providing those all important links between lucrative destinations. They are delighted to take this first step in achieving their goal.The joint venture took over 4 years before the marriage was formalized.SA Express holds 49% of Congo Express shares in this joint venture. Its operations will be rolled out in three phase as disclosed by Didier Kindambu the Managing Director Congo Express the first being Lubumbashi-Kinshasha and Kinshasha-Mbuju Mayi routes. Next will be to increase the domestic routes to serve other airports within DRC, followed by an extension of services beyond the borders of the DRC.

Its corporate identity will be similar to those of SA Express, yet uniquely distinctive. The logo reflects the colours of the national flag of DRC and will be reflected in the livery of the aircraft servicing the route, and also in the chic uniform to be worn by staff. Its maintaince will be done by SA Express, who boasts a commendable safety record. The Johannesburg –Lubumbashi route has since flourished, currently frequenting the DRC 6-days a week. Congo Express will operate 7 days a week between Lubumbashi and Kinshasa and 4 times a week between Lubumbashi and Mbuji Mayi.

(e) Ethiopian Airline Orders 10 Next-Generations 737-800s

Ethiopian Airlines have announced an order of 10 next—Generation 737-800s With Boeing in Seattle and this order is valued at $767-million at list prices.

Based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopian Airlines last year became the first African Carrier to order and operate the ultra-long range 777-200LR. Ethiopian also was the first African Carrier to order the B787 Dream liner, ordering 10 in 2005.

(f) Togolese Carrier starts Flights

Lome-ASKY, a new Togolese carrier started operations recently with two wet-leased 737-700s from Ethiopian Airlines, and began operations as Ethiopian West African hub.

(g)Virgin Wins "Flight Deal of the Century"

Australian airline, Virgin Blue has been awarded the contract for passenger services between Perth and two Indian Ocean territories after winning a Federal Government tender to conduct flights to Christmas and the Cocos Island. Details of the "can't lose" Federal Government contract were revealed at WAtoday.com.au last year. The Government subsidizes the flight once the revenue falls beneath agreed minimum threshold, and did so to the tune of $ 972,000 in the last financial year.

The services were previously operated by Cob ham Aviation, the former National Jet, which actually lost the contract in 2008 but continued to operate them after the winning bidder, Sky Air World, went into administration. The airline will start thrice-weekly flights in April 2010 from Perth to both territories, and flights between the territories and Virgin Blue would boost its domestic network to 30 destinations.

From Perth, Christmas and Cocos Islands are two of the best, unspoilt and truly unique island holiday destinations the region has to offer. With other markets this airline has entered, they are confident the new services will further stimulate tourism of these most remarkable jewels in the Indian Ocean and also help to strengthen relations with the mainland. While the new flights were within the Australian domestic network, all services to and fro Australia will arrive into and depart from Perth International Airport.

(h) Indian Airline to Fly to South Africa.

India's largest passenger airline, Jet Airways (India) Ltd, is set to become the countries first carrier to fly to South Africa and is keen to commence flights ahead of the Football World Cup scheduled to start on June 11, 2010. The airline is also entering into a code share agreement with Kenya Airways to connect to the northern regions of Africa, coinciding with India's recent thrust to improve economic diplomacy in the continent.

Permission for Jet Air to schedule non-stop daily flights from Mumbai to Johannesburg has been requested from the Indian authorities but the airline is still waiting for formal clearance to be given by the aviation Ministry. clause in the bilateral rights with South Africa allowed for only one carrier to fly from Mumbai but that restriction was lifted some time ago leaving the way clear for Jet Airways to seek approval for the airline to use the route.

With these air news the users of aviation services will be always aware of the new routes introduced, new aircrafts manufactured, new travel regulations, ,aviation events of the year, safety and security alerts.

UAE is one of the most sought after career destinations in the entire Middle East region. It has seven emirates out of which Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman are the most important ones. With millions of professionals migrating for jobs in UAE, the population of foreigners is much higher than the locals in the emirate. The process of diversification has spawned large number of employment opportunities in the region across various sectors. Aviation jobs in UAE are at their best as the travel & tourism sector grows considerably owing to the increasing air traffic.

The growth in tourism sector has helped boost the travel industry thus, bringing a boom in its aviation segment. The demand for aviation professionals like cabin crew and pilots is spiraling up as the movement of people has increased in both the domestic and the international spheres. According to a recent report by GCAA (General Civil Aviation Authority), air traffic in UAE has grown by almost 12% in July. The highest aircraft movement in the 2nd quarter of the financial year 2010-11 is a clear indicator of the growing need for aviation services in UAE.

Dubai topped the movements followed by Abu Dhabi while Sharjah stood third re-emphasizing on the fact that UAE is developing at an unprecedented rate. A robust regional economy and an ability to attract long-haul traffic are what drive the growth in UAE aviation sector. Middle Eastern economies are recovering much faster than those in Europe and Asia as revealed by The International Air Transport Association (IATA). Such expansion needs huge support from skilled and experienced human resources so as to offer best services to the travelers.

As a result, numerous aviation jobs in UAE are deemed open to foreign professionals who can be employed to manage guests in international flights. Lots of work is done in the sector with issuance and renewal of certificates for aircraft maintenance, aircraft registration and airworthiness. Also, many air operator and simulator certificates have been issued along with various inspections and audits, aircraft modification transactions and examination permits being carried out. All this is to ensure air security and smooth functioning of the aircrafts and ultimately the sector. Besides certifications and inspections, huge investments are being made in aviation sector of UAE both in terms of money and manpower.

The numbers of aviation jobs in United Arab Emirates have been multiplying owing to the expansion and up-gradation of 8 international airports in the region. The money employed in the sector is among the largest investments in the world even as further redevelopment programs are in progress. They aim at increasing the passenger handling capacity (by expanding runways, terminals, fleets, etc.); ground service infrastructure, vehicle capability and other such modernization plans.

Apparently, UAE jobs in aviation sector are bound to accelerate attracting expatriates from other countries. It is interesting to note that such developmental steps are taken keeping in mind that they do not lead to industry overcapacity or decreasing yields in future. Both the estimated growth in demand and the plans for industry expansion have to work together in sync so as to assure quality services throughout.

It is only without compromising on quality that an industry can achieve unparalleled growth. Apart from civil aviation, it is also working on Dubai Aerospace Agency (DAE University) making it a center for designing and constructing planes as well as for repairing aircrafts. Noticeably, tremendous efforts are being made to establish Dubai as a global hub between East Asia and Europe. And in the process, innumerable Aviation jobs in Dubai and other emirates in the region are thus generated.