Mena Aerospace Enterprises plans to relaunch its business aviation activities through a new partnership with Europe-based Sparfell. Under a November 14 announcement, the Bahrain-based group said that Sparfell will support its efforts to expand services, including aircraft and passenger handling, charter flights, and the provision of hangars.
Until recently, Mena operated a pair of Bombardier Learjet 60s based in Dubai through a partnership with Austria-based International Jet Management (IJM). But a change in ownership at IJM resulted in the aircraft being transferred to another company’s air operator certificate (AOC) and moved to another base.
On November 3, Mena announced the launch of an air freight division called Mena Cargo. At the time, it said the move represented a strategic shift resulting from the stronger demand for cargo transportation seen in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
Since the start of the year, Mena has seen a 30 percent increase in demand for handling services at its Bahrain International Airport FBO. “We have adapted our model to reflect shifting customer preferences,” said Mena founder and managing director Mohamed Juman. “Previously, we acted as an AOC for business jets in Bahrain, serving the local region. Our new partnership with Sparfell allows us to change the game.”
The partnership calls for Switzerland-based Sparfell to manage aircraft on behalf of Mena, which will now seek its own AOC in Saudi Arabia, allowing it to offer charter flights in that country. Last week, it announced that its Mena Technics division, which provides various aircraft engineering services, has opened an office at Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia.
Sparfell also has offices in Vienna; Paris; San Marino, Italy; Washington, D.C.; Singapore; and Dublin. It plans to manage aircraft for Mena under its Austrian AOC, which falls under EASA’s Europe-wide jurisdiction.
Separately, Mena Technics has agreed to a partnership with U.S.-based Pulsar Aviation Services, an Aviance Group company, which it will now represent in the Gulf Cooperation Council states. The deal will add new business lines for Mena Technics, including airframe and engine and APU and landing gear management programs and a project management consultancy for airframe maintenance checks.
Mena Technics specializes, with a global network of partners, in providing turnkey services for clients dealing in aerospace management, airports, and aircraft, as well as aviation infrastructure and security. It also has recently signed partnership agreements with AeroGulf Services, Rogerson Kratos, Aeroservices, and AJW Group.