Jetex team at EBACE

EBACE 2019

The European exhibition draws to a close today after an inspiring week for the business aviation industry in Geneva. We launched Jetex TV and spoke with Ed Bolen, NBAA president, about the subjects affecting business aviation in 2019 and beyond. We also spoke with Jetex’s Founder and CEO, Adel Mardini, about the exciting achievements we accomplished since EBACE 2018. Adel Mardini was also proud to accept an award from Coporate Jet Investor as one of 30 Dealmakers in Aviation, congratulations!

Honda Aircraft production facility

This week Jetex partner, HondaJet, announced production expansion to accommodate demand for the HondaJet Elite. The facility in Greensboro, North Carolina will help to make the production process more efficient with automation technologies. The facility will meet production needs created by more demand from India and Brazil, after selling 37 aircraft globally in 2018. Honda Aircraft has also announced plans to boost awareness of it’s private jets in Japan, where uptake is slow for jet purchases. Events such as the G20 and 2020 Olympics, along with local partnerships are expected to boost aircraft sales as well as business travel awareness in the region.

Women in Aviation

With discussions taking place across multiple industries about the importance of welcoming women into all roles, we are keen to keep the conversation about women in aviation going. It’s encouraging to see upward trends in the aviation industry, with multinationals headed by women including Marillyn Hewson of Lockheed Martin and Leanne Caret of Boeing Defense, Space, and Security. On the ground – or rather in the air, India is leading the way for female pilots – employing twice the global average in statistics published by the International Society of Women Airline Pilots. Ed Bolen, NBAA President, discussed the importance of attracting new talent to the business aviation industry – female role models are important to encourage others to join and flourish.

Growth in Morocco

Business aviation in Morocco continues to grow and Jetex is at the forefront of FBO provision to support business travelers. As the first FBO provider in Marrakech we continue to see an increase in luxury leisure visits, as well as diplomatic visits to Rabat. As well as filling the gaps of jet travel in Morocco, Jetex Founder and CEO Adel Mardini hopes to attract new customers to the market with the provision of new VIP locations including Agadir and Tangier.

Illegal air charter

With the global rise of sharing apps like Air BnB and Uber, it’s no surprise the trend has reached business aviation. Advertised as a cost effective and convenient way to travel, apps such as Uberjets and Blackbird allow users to ‘rideshare’. This can lead to potential uncertainty into the operational boundaries between pilot/passenger and AOC conditions. This is commonly referred to in the aviation industry as ‘gray charter’. The NBAA suggests vigilance from customers and increased education about the differences between Part 91 and Part 135 operators, to avoid ambiguity and maintain safety standards.

 

 

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Bombardier Announcement

Jetex and Bombardier have signed an agreement for the establishment of a new Bombardier Line Maintenance Station at Jetex’s flagship FBO, Dubai Al Maktoum Airport.

Initially the service will offer unscheduled maintenance services and in the coming months move to a scheduled maintenance program. This new location joins 30 mobile units globally, equipped to support Bombardier Learjet, Challenger and Global business aircraft.

Find out more about the announcement at the press release.

Beijing Daxing International Airport to open in September

Beijing’s highly anticipated Beijing Daxing International Airport (IATA: PKX; ICAO: ZBAD) is set to open in September, after four test flights landed successfully on Monday May 13th. The airport will ease the pressure of neighboring Beijing Capital International Airport, Asia’s busiest, that reached capacity in 2013.

Daxing International will start to serve locations of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (also known as One Belt, One Road or OBOR) linking China and the new ‘Silk Road’. Cities on the route include Almaty (Kazakstan), Istanbul (Turkey), Athens, Greece and Rotterdam, Netherlands. Daxing will also serve Paris and London and by 2025 passenger traffic is estimated to reach 72 million.

23-year-old Captain Aarohi Pandit first woman to cross the Atlantic in LSA

Her 3,000km journey began in Wick, Scotland in July 2018 and ended this week at Iqaluit Airport in Canada. The record is more impressive when you learn about the size of the aircraft and the conditions she faced. The Light Service Aircraft (LSA) a small, single-engine Sinus 912 weighing a slight 400 kg took her over the Greenland ice-cap and through serious weather conditions.

Increase in electric aircraft programs

German consultancy Roland Berger has reported almost 170 electric powered aircraft programs are currently in progress. The growth, by nearly 50% since earlier in 2019, is driven by a need to focus on cleaner and more sustainable travel. Europe sees the highest number of projects – totaling 72, the USA following with 67 programs. Today saw the launch of an electric taxi prototype which aims to bring urban air mobility to the masses by 2025.

The trend resonates with Jetex’s vision and strategy to support electric aircraft in the executive aviation industry, with our partnership with Wright Electric. Wright Electric is striving to make every short haul flight a zero-emissions flight within 20 years. The airplanes, developed in collaboration with Jetex, will be 50% quieter and 10% less expensive to operate.

How does an electric aircraft compare to a standard fuel jet?  The estimated range is 540km or 335 miles, the equivalent to a flight from Jetex FBOs in Dubai to Muscat or Malaga to Casablanca on a single charge.

Jetex needs your help to redefine the FBO

FBOs have come a long way in the last 100 years – from simple refueling stops to exclusive and comfortable locations for the busy and discerning traveler. With such developments, Jetex Founder and CEO Adel Mardini is calling on the aviation industry and passengers to consider what makes an FBO today.

Read his open letter and let us know your thoughts on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

Upcoming Events

EBACE countdown EBACE 2019 - Geneva

Final preparations are underway for EBACE 2019 Convention & Exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland. The event will see over 13,000 attendees from all over the world join for networking opportunities, face-to-face meetings as well as over 50 aircraft on display.

Jetex will be there at booth O89 to discuss how we can assist you in your executive aviation operations. We’ll also be making exciting announcements about our global network and our new agreement with Bombardier. We look forward to seeing you there.

 

IATA Fuel Forum

The bi-annual IATA Aviation Fuel Forum returns May 21-23 at the Athenaeum Intercontinental, Athens and sees airline representatives, fuel suppliers and IATA Strategic Partners discuss new policies and enhancements for productivity and efficiency.

Items on the agenda include industry safety and new filtration technologies, Hydrant design and commissioning and vehicle technologies.

Jetex has served more than 350 million gallons of fuel in the last decade and we partner with over 500 suppliers worldwide. In a constantly fluctuating market, our team works 24/7 to provide you with competitive prices and deliver fuel to wherever you are in the world, whenever you need it.

Contact our fuel team at fuel@jetex.com for more information about the IATA Aviation Fuel Forum and to arrange a meeting.