The company – the world’s biggest BBJ operator with a fleet of five – is partnering with an unnamed overseas maintenance provider.

Royal Jet – which also flies a Gulfstream IVSP and two G300s, as well as a Bombardier Learjet 60 – has been hinting at a move into maintenance for some time, but this is the first time it has confirmed its plans.

Part of the reason for the move is that the company has until now had to ship its BBJs overseas for heavy maintenance and wanted to offer owners whose aircraft it manages an all-in package.

Royal Jet is jointly owned by Abu Dhabi Aviation and the Presidential Flight Authority and is chaired by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nayan, a minister in the UAE federal cabinet

via Dubai 09: Royal Jet to open maintenance facility.

via Royal Jet remains on flight plan for growth: AINonline.

To cope with the unprecedented numbers, Royal Jet temporarily took over a section of the Abu Dhabi Aviation terminal to complement its own VIP/FBO facilities, thereby offering an additional three VIP lounges for the duration of the F1 event. Over the week Royal Jet broke all records by handling in excess of 200 aircraft movements and a record number of passengers. At the same time they had 50 aircraft parked at their terminal with the overflow positioned at Al Bateen and Al Ain Airports.

With their facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport situated minutes from the Grand Prix circuit, Royal Jet handled 90% of the visiting private aircraft traffic into Abu Dhabi. It was record week for Royal Jet FBO traffic and the entire process was handled flawlessly.

The Company also took on additional manpower for the ramp and lounge services to cope with the high demand, whilst the in-house catering team designed special menus for the visiting F1 VIPs. Royal Jet’s FBO lived up to its award winning reputation and showed why earlier this year it was ranked the best in the region by the pilots and readers of Aviation International News.

President & CEO Shane O’Hare explained that all this was made possible%2

via BlueSky – your weekly executive aviation support services industry news.

Shane O’Hare, President and CEO of Royal Jet, explained that to cope with the expected traffic demand and the number of visiting aircraft, Royal Jet has temporarily expanded facilities at the terminal to complement its own VIP facilities, thereby offering an additional three VIP lounges for the duration of the F1 event.

O’Hare said:

“Taking the examples of the Grand Prix held in Bahrain, Istanbul and Monaco as typical of the type of numbers likely to fly in on private jets, we are expecting around 200 to 250 aircraft movements during the three day event with additional numbers using our VIP terminal in the previous week. That equates to around 750 to 1,000 guests who will pass through our facilities during the race days themselves.”

O’Hare added, “We have already taken on additional manpower for the ground handling and lounge services to cope with this high demand, but Royal Jet staff – especially cabin crew members – will take over the lounge hospitality services in order to ensure that our uniquely prestigious quality service levels are maintained at all times. Our in-house catering team has even designed a special menu for visiting F1 VIPs which will, of course, have a distinct Royal Jet touch.”

“As this event is being staged here in the UAE for the very first time, we expect large numbers of VIPs, VVIPs and F1 fans flying into Abu Dhabi using private jets,” O’Hare continued. “Royal Jet is able to park a minimum of 25 midsized aircraft, and we have also arranged additional parking facilities at both Al Bateen and Al Ain Airports,” he said.

“Naturally this F1 event will be a very busy time from every angle, including our customer service, ground handling and our professionalism in responding and reacting to our guests’ needs and demands. This give us an opportunity to show why our FBO / VIP Terminal at Abu Dhabi was recently voted by Aviation International News’ readers to be in the world’s top 5 such facilities; so I have every confidence that we will not just meet, but once again surpass, our guests’ expectations,” stated O’Hare.

Royal Jet is currently finalising the logistics of transferring guests from the Airport to Yas Island, where the F1 Circuit is located. It has already block booked additional limousines, and is also expecting at least 10-20 helicopter movements during the three days of the event.

O’Hare concluded, “We are working closely with our sister company Abu Dhabi Aviation to further enhance our service offering to our visitors, many of whom will be experiencing Abu Dhabi for the first time.”

Royal Jet gears up for F1 event with VIP terminal facilities in pole position | Royal Jet | AMEinfo.com

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