RIYADH, 28 May 2008 — A Dubai-based aircraft company has introduced a regional jet service to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah for a fare that will be cheaper than flying first class on any arline.
Luxury private jet operator Elite Jets in partnership with Jet Aviation, has embarked on the commercial operation after taking delivery of a new Cessna Citation Jet (CJ3) in a fleet expansion move designed to meet the region’s rapidly increasing demand for corporate and VIP air travel.
“It is the newest aircraft introduced to the UAE market with the lowest direct operating cost where the selling market rate per hour is $3,300 and with seven pax on board, the flight on the CJ3 is cheaper than flying first class.
The aircraft can fly to Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait or Oman and it can also reach Cairo, Beirut and any major airport within Saudi Arabia with ease, such as Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam.
It is ideal for CEOs, VPs, and corporate executives within the region”, said Ammar Balkar, member of the board, president and CEO of Elite Jets.
Elite Jets was established in January 2004 in Dubai, and provides charter, aircraft sales brokerage and aircraft management services.
The company holds an Aircraft Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and currently operates a fleet of Citation CJ3, Hawker 850XP and Challenger 604 aircraft and expects the delivery of a brand new Challenger 605 and Falcon 900 in October 2008.
“The GCC’s general economic outlook and booming financial environment can sustain an annual business aviation sector increase of approximately 40 percent in terms of private aircraft movements and fleet growth,” said Balkar.
“Elite Jets is ideally positioned to contribute significantly to this growth due to our aggressive investment policy and thanks to our location in Dubai, a hub that lies at the heart of one of the world’s fastest-growing business aviation markets catering to both the UAE and the GCC region.”
Wholly-owned by Elite Jets, the new light jet is the operator’s third aircraft.
