Jordanian charter operator Arab Wings has added to its fleet with the acquisition of a Beech Super King Air 200. It will be based in Amman along with a Challenger, which the company manages, and a Citation XLS, which the company purchased in May.

The aircraft will be used for charter operations in Jordan and neighbouring countries, including Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia. The company chose the King Air because it enables Arab Wings to land at smaller airports, provide a medical evacuation service where necessary, and offer personal charter services to tourists and private groups wishing to visit holy places such as Damascus and Akbar.

The company’s central position within the Middle East enables it to serve the major charter markets in the area too. Most of the company’s custom comes from Jordanian businesses and the government, said general manager Ghassan Ali.

The Citation XLS flew for 63 hours in July and the King Air logged about 28 hours, but this is expected to rise over the coming months.

“There is competition from a growing number of charter operators,” he said, “but the demand is good enough to give all the competitors a market share.”

Ali states that the company plans to expand the business over the next two years and develop the long-range business jet market further, by possibly acquiring a Hawker 800XP or a Challenger 604.

Although Arab Wings was established in 1975 as a subsidiary of Royal Jordanian Airways, private investors bought a 75 per cent share in the company this year and launched it as a new company in March 2005.