Monaco-based Boutsen Aviation and Boutsen Design are here at MEBA (Stand 660) sharing a stand to promote, respectively, its business aircraft brokerage and loose equipment sales–such as linen and crockery–for high-end business jet interiors.

“We have a representative in Dubai, which is a good base for sales in the Middle East and Asia,” CEO Thierry Boutsen told AIN. He singled out Qatar, where his company has placed seven aircraft over an 18-month period. “Transactions in the region take longer than the average and there is still a need for education, but I very much appreciate the loyalty of these customers,” he went on. He noted that most customers in the region buy an aircraft for a mix of private and business purposes and then have it managed by a charter operator.

The sales team of four at Boutsen Aviation sells a total 20 to 30 aircraft per year. About 90 percent are pre-owned. Measured by aircraft type, turbine helicopters account for 20 percent of the total. Helicopters and business jets are following opposite trends, Boutsen said, as rotorcraft sales tend to concentrate in the lower-end segment, while large-cabin, long-range business jets are the ones that sell best.

For interiors, Boutsen Design works with 140 suppliers for crystal glasses, chinaware, bathroom essentials, cashmere plaids, etc. Most of them can be customized, Boutsen said. Usually, the owner makes his or her selection of such objects during the cabin design process, to ensure every piece of tableware fits well into the cabinets.