Alpha Star Aviation Services, the newest player in the Saudi private aviation market, provides flight operations, technical support, VIP flight-support services and administration, with a focus on air ambulance flights after being set up in 2010.

Alpha Star aircraft management portfolio numbers six aircraft: one Airbus ACJ318, one A319, two A320s–one an ACJ320 Prestige–an A340 and an ATR 42-600. It also signed an agreement for two ATR 72-600s, one firm and one option, at the Dubai Airshow last year. The first is expected to join the fleet later this year. Alpha Star (Stand 2016), which was established in 2010, also offers aircraft acquisitions, acceptance and delivery services and completion management.

The company is considering entering the FBO market in Saudi Arabia, which would increase competition among the four existing operators: Jet Aviation, ExecuJet-NasJet, Arabasco and Saudia Private Aviation.

Alpha Star’s new CEO, Salim Al Muzaini, is based in Riyadh and is assisted by deputy CEO Wajdi Al Idrissi, former CEO of Saudia Private Aviation.

In related news, Alpha Star signed an agreement with AFI KLM Engineering and Maintenance (E&M) in November, covering component support services for its A320 family and A340 aircraft. “Under the terms of the contract, AFI KLM E&M will provide Alpha Star Aviation Services with repair services and access to a spares pool,” AFI KLM E&M said.

“Since its inception in 2010, Alpha Star Aviation Services has often availed itself of AFI KLM E&M’s maintenance services and, in particular, its overhaul services for CFM56-5B engines and APUs,” the company said.