Falcon Aviation Increases Its MRO Capabilities: Adds Bombardier Q400 Base Maintenance at Its Al Bateen, Abu Dhabi MRO Facility
Falcon Aviation, one of the UAE’s leading aviation companies specialising in business aviation services, charter and aircraft management, is further broadening its MRO expertise having obtained GCAA approval to start Bombardier Q400 base maintenance in its Fixed Wing Hangar at its Al Bateen Executive Airport HQ, Abu Dhabi.
It will support its own six-strong fleet of Q400 NGs, three of which are operating on the AOC of Qazaq Air in Kazakhstan, serving domestic routes in the country. Qazak Air will bring one of its Q400s into Al Bateen for maintenance in the next few weeks.
“We are delighted to have this accreditation to carry out base maintenance and provide MRO on the Q400NGs,” said Falcon Aviation COO Captain Raman Oberoi. Falcon Aviation’s fixed wing and rotary wing MRO at Bateen Airport already holds capabilities for Embraer and Gulfstream Business Jets; the Pilatus PC-12, Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters and Bell Helicopters.
Falcon Aviation is also marking three successful years’ flying on its fixed wing oil and gas operations with daily flight services operated by two Q400NGs - between Al Bateen and Das Island, and between Al Bateen and Zirku Island. The service, which started in September 2015 to serve demand from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has grown from an initial 61,000 passengers in its first year to 187,000 in 2016, increasing to 215,000 passengers during 2017. Today, the route supports 12 flights daily, back and forth, carrying 700 passengers a day.
Falcon Aviation at Abu Dhabi Air Expo
“We were born at Al Bateen 11 years ago and are proud to have been instrumental in helping the airport become a thriving aviation hub,” Capt Raman said. Accordingly, Falcon is both obliged and pleased to return, as an exhibitor, to the biennial Abu Dhabi Air Expo 2018 which opens its doors this week (February 26th to 28th), organised by 4M Events.
Falcon Aviation is showcasing a Leonardo AW189 in 19-seat configuration and an Embraer Legacy business jet from its charter fleet in the static.
At the show it will talk up its renowned expertise in VIP and Offshore Helicopter operations. Falcon was global launch customer of the Leonardo offshore-configured AW169 and recently ordered three more aircraft to serve a new oil contract in Kuwait. This bolsters its total fleet of Leonardo helicopters to 11, including five AW169s, two AW189s, plus four AW109 Grand light twin helicopters.
Falcon Aviation is committed to building the necessary infrastructure to support business and regional aviation in the GCC region. Mirroring its breadth of expertise at its Al Bateen HQ, it is working at a fast pace on a brand new showcase 20,000 sqm MRO hangar facility at DWC Airport in Dubai. Together with 13,000 sqm of apron space, the facility is on course to open at the end of this year. The facility will provide maintenance support for business jets, commercial fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, accredited by GCAA and EASA. It will also offer 24/7 AOG support and aircraft parking.
About Falcon Aviation
• Falcon Aviation, founded in 2006, is a leading business aviation services company, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Since its creation, under the patronage of HH Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, has built up a sound reputation for high quality and innovative services, serving a significantly large customer base. It has become synonymous with safety, quality and excellent customer service.
• Falcon Aviation is based at Al Bateen Executive Airport, the premier VIP airport in the UAE, within Abu Dhabi City. Falcon Aviation delivers a variety of aviation services from private jet and executive helicopter charter with a diverse fleet of business jets and helicopters; third party aircraft management, MRO, CAMO, commercial aircraft leasing and oil and gas aviation support.
• It operates an 11 strong fixed wing fleet including one Embraer Legacy 600, one Lineage 1000, three Gulfstream G450/G550s and six Bombardier Q400 turboprops. Three of the six Q400s are currently leased to Qazaq Air in Kazakhstan. Falcon Aviation also operates a variety of helicopters consisting of - 10 Bell 412EPs; four Airbus Helicopters EC130B4s; four AW109S/SPs, two AW189s and two AW169s.
• In December 2016 it opened its luxurious new FBO at the VIP Dubai South Terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). IS-BAH status was acquired at the end of 2017. The 1,000 sqm state-of-the art facility offers two VIP lounges, with en suite bathrooms; a refreshment and coffee bar; cigar lounge, boardroom-style meeting facilities; prayer room; shower facilities and access to a dedicated VIP Terminal Duty Free. The facility extends to a children's play area and pets room.
• In May 2017 Falcon Aviation achieved approval from the GCAA to perform third party line maintenance at its new Dubai South facility at Al Maktoum International
Airport base in Dubai, co-located with its FBO facility in the VIP Terminal. Aircraft types it has been cleared to work on include the Gulfstream G450/G550; Embraer 135/145 regional jets and Embraer 190/Lineage 1000. (Falcon Aviation is already an Authorised Service Centre for Embraer Executive Jets at its Abu Dhabi Al Bateen Executive Airport base.) as well as the Pilatus PC-12 turboprop.
· Falcon Aviation won a global tender last year to start Oil and Gas Operations for KOC in Kuwait with three brand new AW 169s by mid 2018.
· Falcon Aviation is a founding member of the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) and an authorised service centre for Embraer Executive Jets and warranty service centre for Gulfstream. The MRO is also providing services for Bombardier, Gulfstream, Leonardo, Pilatus, Airbus and Bell helicopters.
