Dubai Private jet operator ExecuJet Middle East is planning a move to Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International as early as next year but is waiting for the infrastructure at the new airport to be completed, according to the company's top executive.
Dubai Airports launched general aviation operations at DWC in April last year with the first flight, but the airport operator is still waiting to begin passenger operations from DWC.
"We have been talking about it for a long time and we are actually reserving a plot or two over there [DWC], because we want to expand our capacity and we need to move out there from a maintenance point of view. So yes, it's definitely on our cards," Mike Berry, managing director for ExecuJet Middle East, said.
He was speaking Thursday on the sidelines of a conference to announce the company's latest addition to its 20-aircraft fleet in the region — the new VIP 19-seat Embraer Lineage.
‘Biggest hindrance'
Asked how soon ExecuJet will be making the move to the new premises, he said the company was currently working with the authorities to know when the infrastructure will be complete.
"I would think sometime in 2013 is probably the time when you will see our presence starting to create from general aviation," said Berry.
"That [infrastructure] will be the biggest hindrance as a proper infrastructure is what we need to support the organisation. So once that is in place it's easier to move aircraft across there."
ExecuJet Middle East, part of the worldwide ExecuJet Aviation Group, does not see its current facility at Dubai Airport Free Zone (DAFZA) move in its entirety to DWC.
"We hope to retain our footprint over here and expand to the other side," said Berry.
A company with two hangar facilities now expects to grow to "at least three to four" hangars once the move to DWC is accomplished, according to Berry. "We will see how the business develops there," he said.
Commenting on DWC as a whole, he said: "It's a project that's necessary. However, what one loses is the ability to have the unique selling point of an international airport with close proximity to the city. But as the business grows and Dubai grows, DWC will become closer."
‘Financing no problem'
At a time when the aviation industry as a whole is struggling to find financing for new plane deliveries, ExecuJet seems to be doing just fine, as the company's CEO pointed out.
Asked if raising financing is a challenge, Berry said: "It's not a problem for us. Surprisingly enough, we have been approached by one or two financial institutions, which are willing to finance our expansion projects. And that's encouraging."