The Middle East's business aircraft fleet is getting back into growth mode. As the 2010 MEBA show prepared to open, local management companies are expecting to bring new aircraft into service and there is strong possibility of further orders being announced in Dubai this week.

Yesterday, Doha-based Rizon Jet confirmed that it has been chosen to operate a new Airbus Corporate Jetliner on behalf of an owner in the Arabian Gulf region (see page 10). This will be the largest aircraft to date in the operator's fleet, which currently consists of six jets, including one operated by its UK-based partner Oryx.

Today, another operator with a base in the Middle East is expected to announce a deal to purchase one each of Bombardier's new Global 7000 and Global 8000 long-range jets. These will be operated on behalf of undisclosed management customers.

In other anticipated news here this week, a third local management company is expected to announce an expansion to its management fleet. The likely addition will be another Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft.

Rizon Jet CEO Patrick Enz told AIN that the company is going to great lengths to run its operation to the most rigorous European standards for safety and quality. "We are doing this very carefully, because we want to ensure that our procedures are absolutely perfect," he said. "We don't want to expand before we are confident; we are careful but have firm ambitions