Silverjet shows interest in setting up hub in Dubai

Dubai: A new UK-based all-business class airline has selected Dubai as its second international destination and is interested in setting up a hub here, highlighting the enormous potential in the region's premium travel market.

Silverjet said it would begin offering Dubai travelers bound for London its lie-flat beds, 30-minute check-ins at private terminals, pre-ordered gourmet meals and chauffeur services as of November 19.

A converted Boeing 767 will house 100 business class seats instead of its usual 300 for the daily service. Prices start at Dh8,299 return including taxes.

"We chose Dubai because this region is growing very rapidly, with growth at about 20 per cent per annum," Lawrence Hunt, Silverjet's founder and CEO, told Gulf News in a phone interview yesterday.

"We also think the region is perfect for our market with a mix of business and leisure travellers who will be attracted to our private jet experience."

Silverjet recently floated an IPO and now has $100 million in financing. Beginning with a fleet of three aircraft, in January Silverjet launched it first route to New York out of its private terminal in Luton Airport outside of London.

Hunt said the airline was keen to set up a second hub in Dubai, which would allow it to continue on to further destinations including South Africa, India, Southeast Asia and even the USA.

New entrant

He said there were "ownership and control" issues to be resolved but added that they were interested in talking with potential local partners. "We feel that our institutional investors would be supportive" of setting up a second hub in Dubai, Hunt said.

An all business-class airline operating out of Dubai could set up a showdown with Emirates' business class service. But the London airline said the market was large enough for a new entrant.

"Silverjet aims to complement increased demand by offering an unrivalled business class service at highly competitive prices," it said in a release. Tickets are available through the Silverjet website.

The airline also said it would be the only scheduled airline to use the 5,000 square foot private Executive Terminal at Dubai International Airport for arrivals and departures. As with its private terminal at Luton Airport, passengers may enjoy a luxury lounge environment, chair-side check-in and immigration, wi-fi facilities, dedicated security and a 30 minute check-in.

A daily flight will depart Dubai at 10.30am and arrive into London Luton Airport at 2.45pm. Return flights from London Luton will depart at 9pm and arrive in Dubai at 8:30am.