Story ID: 
Dubai’s Elite Jets marks first anniversary
By: Thierry Dubois
Caption: Dubai airport-based Elite Jets is marking its first anniversary here at the Dubai airshow by exhibiting alongside Raytheon Aircraft (Stand E501).
Word Count: 253
Dubai airport-based Elite Jets is marking its first anniversary here at the Dubai airshow by exhibiting alongside Raytheon Aircraft (Stand E501). Recent news from the private charter operator includes the delivery of a second owned Hawker 1000 business jet, an agreement with a tour operator and a block-booking contract with independent aircraft charter broker International Air Charter (IAC). Elite Jets obtained its air operator certificate from the General Civil Aviation Authority in November last year. It is backed by South Africa’s National Airways Corp. (NAC) and Dubai-based JML Investments.

Aircraft demonstrations were conducted earlier this year with Raytheon Aircraft, which Elite Jets represents exclusively in the United Arab Emirates. CEO Paras Dhamecha claims to have 15 serious sales prospects and expects to add two managed aircraft to its fleet by the end of 2006. In the recent past, Lynx Aviation, based in Karachi, Pakistan, acquired its first aircraft, a Raytheon Hawker 800, through Elite Jets. A benefit of being backed by NAC is having access to the company’s substantial inventory of used aircraft.

Elite Jets and Al Naboodah Travel and Tourism signed a memorandum of understanding effective November 19 whereby Elite Jets will provide its private jet charter services to the business and leisure customers of the Dubai-based tour operator.

With UK-based IAC, Elite Jets has reached a block-booking agreement that guarantees a minimum of 100 hours per year. One of IAC’s Dubai-based clients will use these flight hours on a Hawker 1000.