Jordan's RayaJet plans to develop business aircraft handling facilities in Amman and Marka to complement regional and fleet expansion plans.

Ahid Quntar, general director and board member, believes that the global financial crisis will encourage investment by Middle East nationals in their own region. "The soundness of the banks, government support, and the strong growth of private aviation, make the private aviation sector very attractive," he says.

Quntar is confident that the company will also add a Challenger 604 in 2009 to its company owned C650 and Challenger 601.

"It is important that we add the long range capability that will allow us not only to service Arab Gulf destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi but also the demand for trips to Europe," he says.

RayaJet is finalising a joint venture to expand its established medevac services into Irbil, in northern Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan, a venture that involves the addition of a dedicated PC-12 and the participation of a pharmaceutical company run to international standards.

Quntar says that RayaJet is also poised to offer tourism services based on an expanded AOC through its sister company Sama (Sky). "We have all the necessary expertise and personnel. Our seven pilots will be joined by another two in the near future and we expect our current staff of 63 to grow in response to demand-inspired expansion in the region. We are confident that a joint venture agreement will be finalised in the near future and we will then benefit further from the demand in the Arab Gulf for business and leisure trips to Jordan and vice-versa."

Quntar, who worked with Royal Jordanian in senior roles for more than a decade, was also vp with the Jordanian Tourism Board, regional carrier Royal Wings and with Arab Wings.

"We are working on re-branding RayaJet in keeping with its growing international dimension and image," he adds. "Everything will change in keeping with the ongoing expansion and upgrade of the fleet."

More than $1.5bn worth of deals announced at MEBA 2008, confirming that the region's private charter growth is forging ahead.