Dubai-based JetEx Flight Support chose Paris for the first step in a planned international expansion that it says will see its FBOs established as far afield as the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and India. The company (Booth No. 7050) has completed a comprehensive upgrade of the former Flying Group facility at Le Bourget Airport, which it acquired in February 2009.

The FBO is housed in Le Bourget’s prominent business aviation terminal close to the main entrance to the airport. In fact, it is situated on the very spot where Charles Lindbergh touched down after his epic transatlantic flight on May 27, 1927.

By combining the former Flying Group space with the half of the terminal it had previously occupied but never fully developed, JetEx was able to reconfigure the two-floor facility so it can accommodate arrivals of two separate sets of passengers at the same time, one on either side of the building. About 30 percent of the company’s client base, which includes royal families and top government officials, comes from the Middle East, with another 40 percent from Europe and the remainder from North America and elsewhere.

“Given the economic slowdown, we have done well and met our expectations 100 percent,” said JetEx managing partner Salem Youssef. After JetEx took over from the Flying Group, daily aircraft movements increased from around five to between 10 and 12.

Youssef claimed that privately owned JetEx has been ahead of its rivals in anticipating a faster recovery for business and private aviation. He predicted that daily traffic at its new Le Bourget base will increase to some 15 to 17 movements this year.

The FBO facility offers four separate large VIP lounges, a prayer room for Muslim clients, conference rooms, crew rest rooms, showers and Internet access.
On the airside, a large ramp provides parking for up to 30 aircraft at one time.

There is plenty of space for widebodies such as the Boeing Business Jet, and JetEx claims to be the only FBO able to accommodate the ultra-large A380. Transit time from curbside to aircraft is just one minute because cars can drive right up to the aircraft. On the groundside there is parking for 31 cars and the complex has security protection around the clock.

Youssef told AIN that JetEx’s next new FBO will likely open within 12 months in Dubai, where the company’s headquarters is located next to Dubai International Airport. It currently holds the distinction of being the first Middle East-owned FBO in Europe.