Charter operator Bahrain Executive Air Services Co. (Bexair) is announcing the launch of a new aircraft financing operation here at the show. The firm plans to provide business aircraft handling services at an undisclosed Middle Eastern airport, as well as for new passenger shuttle and cargo operations.

According to Bexair chairman and CEO Mansour l-Tassan, the number of executive aircraft in the Middle East has doubled during the past five years and he expects to see the same rate of growth in the next five. “This kind of growth will put pressure on operators, manufacturers and service providers to create regional alliances,” he said.

Bexair now claims 20 percent of the region’s executive charter market. It currently flies a 12-seat Bombardier Challenger 604 and a seven-seat Cessna Citation Excel. t expects to take delivery of a new Citation Bravo during Dubai’