ExecuJet Aviation Group is expanding its European and Middle East charter capability to meet growing demand in key regions including central Europe, Russia and the Arab Gulf.

A Challenger 604 has joined the ExecuJet Middle East charter fleet while ExecuJet Europe has just brought a 40XR into service.

The 604 will be based in Dubai and will operate to both European and Middle East destinations. Mike Berry, Dubai-based md, says: “The 604 has been added to enable us to meet growing demand from our clients for long haul comfort. We are expanding rapidly. There is a big demand for our aviation services especially those encompassing charter and purchasing.”

The 604 will complement a Learjet 60 and Global Express and a Citation III being brought into charter service. “We also have a couple of Learjet 60s coming in next year. It is all part of a controlled expansion process,” says Berry.

There are also eight aircraft under management in Dubai and these include a Learjet 40, a Gulfstream 550 and Challenger 604s.

ExecuJet Middle East set up operations in 1999 when its AOC was issued. “We have been established for a long time but we took a big step forward when our custom-built facility opened at Dubai airport some 15 months ago. It accelerated the growth of all our services and facilities which now include an FBO equipped for vip passengers, aircraft sales, charter, management and maintenance,” says Berry. The new FBO officially opened in February.

Berry says the ExecuJet Middle East Bombardier Approved Service Facility has expanded its Aircraft Maintenance Organisation approvals and now can provide support for the full range of Bombardier business jet products under GCAA and other foreign regulatory authorities. The Bombardier managed parts depot has grown to house in excess of 800 product lines.

Berry adds: “Dubai has become a very important international hub for business aviation. The demand we have experienced has really been incredible and the investment in new facilities and an expanded charter fleet will serve us well into the future.”

The European charter operation has brought the 40XR into service to meet a strong demand for smaller jets. “We see the provision of smaller aircraft, as well as larger jets, as a very important segment for us,” says sales director Marcel Wepfer. “This is a very exciting addition to our fleet that can take our vips between 1,100 and 1,400 nms. The 40XR is not only ideal for executive travel within Switzerland but also for journeys to key European destinations.”

The 40XR, based at Sion near Zurich, is managed but will be readily available for charter. It joins a European fleet that includes a Learjet 60 based in Luton, and a Global Express based at Stansted as well as two Learjet 45s. There is also a Falcon 900DX based at Zurich and three more aircraft are well placed to serve the growing Russian market. These are a Hawker 800XP, Challenger 604 and Challenger 850, all based in Moscow.