Business aviation in the Middle East could be much less affected by economic downturn than Europe and the US - so believe the majority of delegates at the Aviation Outlook Middle East Conference in Abu Dhabi in March.

Royal Jet president and ceo Shane O'Hare agreed with the consensus that the industry has enjoyed exceptional growth in past years. And while the current economic climate will inevitably restrict similar growth levels this year, all agreed that the signs are there for a healthy 2009.

"To a degree the Middle Eastern market has been isolated from the overall worldwide downturn, due in part to the high level of liquidity in the region and a strong GDP which is forecast to remain at around seven per cent," he says. "As a company our strategy of product and market segmentation protects us from the worst of the economic turbulence."

O'Hare also highlights how long-term opportunities can arise out of difficult economic conditions. "Part of our growth strategy to the year 2020 is to increase our fleet in the super mid range by aircraft management as a major part of our business and we are on track to more than double our fleet by the year 2012," he says.

"Prices of aircraft are falling and corporate jet brokers tell us that a year ago there would be 30 buyers looking for one aircraft. Today there are 30 aircraft looking for one buyer, pushing prices down by 30-40 per cent. We are looking to add another BBJ and an aircraft which was $75 million last year is expected to break the $50 million price range by year end."

Aircraft management is another area that is presenting Royal Jet with growth opportunities. "Optimising an aircraft's usage for private or corporate owners in the difficult economic climate provides a win-win situation for private jet operators and for aircraft owners," says O'Hare.