Abu Dhabi based Royal Jet is acquiring further aircraft and investing U.S.$48 million in an IT-driven system designed to enhance flight processing.

Christopher Crum, ceo, says: "The system is called a guest flight control centre. The GFCC provides sophisticated communication channels between ground staff, flight operations and clients that will increase client handling capacity.

We will market the GFCC to aircraft management customers and third parties."

Royal Jet says additional aircraft will join the fleet in the first half of this year. The current fleet includes two G300s, a CL300, a Learjet 55 and four Boeing Business Jets, two fitted with a vip state room/bedroom. The planned acquisitions will boost the fleet, launched in May 2003, to 12 aircraft. Royal Jet also operates Royal Med, its air ambulance division, and offers consultancy services through its aircraft management and acquisition division for private jet owners. The Royal Jet FBO/vip terminal provides maintenance, ground handling and crew and catering services.