This website uses cookies
More information
Avfuel Corporation
Avfuel Corporation
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Why visit ACE ’25?

Related background information from the Handbook...
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

Amphibian 'magic' builds growing business for Seawings in ever-changing scenic Dubai
Seawings, which provides Dubai-based aerial sightseeing tours, is planning expansion.

Seawings, which provides Dubai-based aerial sightseeing tours, is planning expansion. "We are looking at the possibilities of adding more aircraft to our fleet in the near future," says chairman Sheikh Saeed Mohammed Hasher Al Maktoum.

The company is registered as Air Charter International (Arabia) Ltd. and its tourist flights are based on three Cessna 208 Caravans offered by Seawings LLC and operated by Jet-Ops FZE. "We chose our current fleet on criteria based on excellent reputation of Cessna products," director Peter Groves says. "There is an attractive ease of maintenance and we have a well qualified maintenance team that looks after all three aircraft."

Another director, David Stockwell, points out that the Caravan has a cabin size that enables it to carry nine passengers and a pilot and its range allows a tour of up to two hours.

Seawings started operations in August 2007 with one aircraft and a team of 14. It now employs more than 35 staff, operates the three Caravans and is planning to acquire more. Sheikh Saeed says: "The Caravans have established a reputation for providing a magical journey across Dubai's dramatic and ever changing coastal skyline. The Caravan provides great views from each seat, exhilarating water take off and landing, a luxury cabin with leather seating and air conditioned comfort. The flight provides an opportunity to capture the unique views of Dubai's most iconic landmarks but Seawings understands business needs and what is required to organise a perfect day for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions. Therefore, the guests now have a choice of experiencing one or more of the resort facilities before or after the flight." These, he says, include golf, the beach and water sports, a spa and fine dining.

The company recruits pilots based on criteria including minimum flying hours, licence and aircraft flying experience. It does not recruit cabin crew but uses customer representatives to assist clients.

Business is being referred through travel agents, tour operators, hotels and comes from corporations and business bookings. "We have focused our marketing efforts with different promotions targeting each of these avenues and we tailor tours to meet requirements," Stockwell says. Its broker operations, carried out by Air Charter International , provides medevac, cargo and helicopter bookings as well as passenger charter.

Other News
 
Textron earns FAA approval for SMS in aircraft design and manufacturing
September 18, 2024
Textron’s new SMS programme includes a voluntary reporting tool that allows employees, customers or suppliers to anonymously report aircraft quality risks or hazards directly to the company’s SMS Committee.
SkyCourier gains type certification in the Philippines
August 25, 2024
This will expand its ability to support operational activities in remote areas of southeast Asia. The first Cessna SkyCourier in the region should arrive with LEASCOR in the second half of 2025.
Crimson King honours 60th turboprop anniversary
July 25, 2024
The ‘Crimson Edition’ King Air features a striking new interior and a vibrant red and silver exterior paint scheme, inspired by six decades of legendary Beechcraft customers and operators.