Dubai-based Hadid International Services (Booth A45) is growing in various parts of the world, providing trip support and flight planning services to operators. Issa Zuriqi, Hadid’s commercial director, said that the Chinese are getting more knowledgeable about business aviation. “They are more open and have better knowledge of the aviation business around the world. They ask the right questions nowadays,” Zuriqi told AIN just after returning from the ABACE show in late April.

China’s market is growing in maturity, as ABACE’s static display represented of a full spectrum of aircraft types, all the way from the Pilatus single-engine turboprop to the Deer Jet Boeing 787. The diversity is evidence that the Chinese bizav community is looking to a variety of models to support a broad range of missions.

He added, “There is good business domestically. I [also] met a couple of domestic operators who are planning to increase their fleet and start flying on international routes.” Chinese operators are flying passengers to Africa for business and Europe for business and leisure. “I see that business in Africa is flourishing for the Chinese. They have lots of investments in Ethiopia and Angola, and they are going to West Africa now, to Nigeria, Niger, Benin and Togo. They are more [visible] in Senegal too,” he said.

India-based Jalal Hussain, Hadid’s regional business development manager, Asia, said Ahmedabad is a major port of entry to India for business aviation, helping operators avoid the congested locations of Mumbai and Delhi, but it is only operating at 15 percent of capacity at the moment. He said several tourist destinations in Ahmedabad also make the location popular.

“Ahmedabad is one of a [number] of airports that issues visas on arrival to passengers. Gujarat is a friendly state which attracts a [good deal] of foreign capital. Compared to Mumbai, Ahmadabad is very easy and congestion free,” Hussain said.

He estimates a total of 155 fixed-wing aircraft operate in the non-scheduled charter sector in India, with a further 187 helicopters on call. In the private category, he reports a total of 19 fixed-wing aircraft and 31 helicopters.He said that NetJets, VistaJet and Global Jets had all been engaged for two years in the effort to sell block hours to what is now a very receptive Indian corporate market.

“After the introduction of [these] operators, most of the big corporates have decided to sell their old aircraft and buy bulk flying hours with these operators, which [conserves] their capital,” he said.         

“Effectively, an individual or company is saving investment capital [that would otherwise be devoted to] big aircraft and the related complex compliance in India. [These business aviation companies] sell bulk flying hours, and the aircraft is made available to the client as and when needed for international travel. Since operators control a substantial fleet, they make sure an aircraft is available for passengers without fail.”

Chakib Boudjemaa, business development manager Africa and Middle East, said Morocco is growingrapidly and saw an average of around 20 flights a day, mainly carrying business clients from Europe. Both Morocco and Algeria are benefiting from operators’ reluctance to fly into Libya, given the current uncertainty there.

“Morocco is growing rapidly. I don't know why so many people are fighting for the business [there] when there are so many opportunities [elsewhere], in places like Ghana and the Ivory Coast. The Canary Islands are very close, and also act as a tourist destination. And it is a good location for technical stops to America. Dakar is already congested, and there is no other location that is better than Morocco that is politically safe,” he said.

“Nigeria is very stable nowadays, and from the beginning of the year, I don't see any changes. Almost daily, there are emails from newly opened companies there, from aircraft operators’ agents to ground handlers. The same issue is going on in Nigeria as in Morocco. Daily, the market is open for everyone.”

Zuriqi said recently established Air Djibouti was operating medevac missions due to the situation in Somalia, while there is also growing medevac work from Yemen to Kenya. Several royal parties also journey from the Gulf Cooperation Council to Chad for recreational hunting trips.

Air cargo is a huge market for Africa, he said, both for origin and destination consignments. “There is good movement in cargo, from China in electronics, and in livestock [meat] from Africa to the world.”

“Dreams Soar”

Hadid will also offer flight support to “Dreams Soar” founder and pilot Shaesta Waiz, who is undertaking a global solo flight with 30 stops in five continents, over 90 days, with over 25,000 miles to be flown. Waiz is Afghanistan's first certified civilian female pilot. She emigrated to the U.S. with her family after being born a refugee. The flight is intended to raise awareness of women and minorities, and especially STEM and aviation education. It is scheduled for this summer.