Here at the MEBA show, NasJet and ExecuJet Aviation Group are marking the first anniversary of their joint venture FBO at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The partnership operation combines the international expertise of ExecuJet (Stand 575) and the local knowledge of NasJet (Chalet A17), one of the Middle East’s largest business aviation companies. The NasJet-ExecuJet FBO’s year of operation has achieved 100 percent customer retention and a faultless safety record, according to the partners.

“The combined dynamics of local knowledge and international expertise has significantly lifted the user experience to set a new benchmark for FBOs in Saudi Arabia,” said NasJet CEO Saad Alazwari. “The success of our FBO alliance with ExecuJet, in terms of an impeccable track record over the last 12 months, truly serves to showcase the positive synergy of our joint efforts in ensuring a seamless experience for our clients.”

New services introduced during the year include professional aircraft washing for narrow-body aircraft and a ‘customer guarantee’, under which basic handling charges would be refunded to customers not completely satisfied with their service.

“Saudi Arabia is one of the Middle East’s busiest and most demanding business aviation markets,” said ExecuJet operations director Mark Hardman. “Customers in Riyadh are experienced and discerning, so the excellent feedback they have given is testament to the success of our close partnership with NasJet,” he added. “The number of movements we’ve recorded in Riyadh this year is ahead of forecast, which gives us great confidence for the future and we expect our FBO movements to increase by 30 to 40 percent in 2015.”

Currently located at the airport’s general aviation terminal, in January the partnership will launch its services at the Royal Terminal, serving heads of state, royalty and other VVIP traffic.

NasJet operates 67 airplanes under management and flight support, according to the Saudi Arabian company. Of these, 11 (seven Gulfstreams and four Hawkers) are available for charter. The rest of the fleet is a combination of predominately long-range, wide-body aircraft, including BBJ and Airbus VIP bizliners.

“As a commercial operator, NasJet has the largest fixed-wing managed and flight support fleet in the Middle East,” claimed Saad Al Azwari, NasJet CEO. “Being the largest private jet operator in the region has its advantages, since we have our own fleet of aircraft accessible at short notice… We also feel that there is significant growth potential for private aviation in countries like Egypt and Iraq,” Alazwari said. o

BOX or SIDEBAR?

Loyalty Program

In January, ExecuJet will launch a customer loyalty program for operators and routing agents, providing one free handling service for every 50 handlings at any of the 19 ExecuJet FBOs around the world. “Our customers are at the heart of everything we do and we are always looking to provide them with the best value for money,” said Mark Abbott, ExecuJet’s group FBO director. “It is important to note that customers always have a choice and this scheme is about appreciating our customers. Aside from the financial benefit our clients will receive, this program further demonstrates our approach to recognize customer loyalty.”