Dubai-based Executive Aviation Group (EAG) and Grand Aviation Kuwait have launched a joint venture which aims to attract a significant market share of the luxury Middle East jet charter market.

Hussein Al Asousi, deputy chairman and md of Grand Aviation Kuwait, says: "Grand Aviation Dubai will start with two executive jets with four more planned. While scouting around for the aircraft, the company wants to ensure that they are top in safety; have the widest stand up cabin in their class; have long range and high altitude flying capability and full technical support from the manufacturers."

Grand Aviation Dubai will be based at the Dubai airport but will soon expand its services to include the Maktoum Airport at Jebel Ali. The Dubai-based Fliteport Fzco is being acquired by Grand Aviation Kuwait to provide aircraft handling, refuelling and full flight dispatch services for the clients of Grand Aviation Dubai. These will include vips, business executives, corporate passengers, government officials, high net worth individuals and families travelling for events, business meetings and holidays.

Abdulla Atatreh, vice-chairman of EAG, says Grand Aviation Dubai can draw on the best talent from both groups, including officers with over 20 years of experience in the aviation industry. Bara'a Al Jenaei, chairman of Grand Aviation Kuwait, points out that Dubai is now a "global city" with over 20 per cent growth in the aviation industry and a 50 per cent rise in business executive and vip travel. "Grand Aviation Dubai expects to take a large chunk of this fast growing business," he says. The new company plans a launch fleet of a shorter range jet that would be chartered for Dh16,529 (US$4,500) per hour and a longer range jet that would be charged at Dh23,876 (US$6,500) per hour.

"We will increase these two aircraft to six shortly," said Capt. Sulaiman Al Wazzan, md of Grand Aviation Kuwait. The plan was to configure the midsize jet for seven passengers for a four-hour trip and the long range jet for up to 12 passengers for a seven-hour trip. Grand Aviation Dubai also plans to offer charter flights through leasing large aeroplanes for groups of passengers going to destinations that are ignored or under-serviced by commercial flights.

The formal agreement for the joint venture was signed in Dubai by Al Jenaei and Abdulla Atatreh. The ceremony was attended by Mohammad Ahli, director general of the Aviation Authority Dubai, Jamal Al Hai, vp Dubai airport strategy unit, and Anita Mehra, vp marketing for Dubai airport. Grand Aviation Dubai was launched with an initial capital of AED100 million (US$29 million.)