Story ID: 
Middle East leads Comlux expansion
By: David Donald
Caption: Comlux The Aviation Group (Chalet A18) has established a new commercial office to oversee its operations in the Gulf region.
Word Count: 318
Comlux The Aviation Group (Chalet A18) has established a new commercial office to oversee its operations in the Gulf region. Based in Bahrain, Comlux Middle East has begun operations with two Airbus Corporate Jets. The division expects to receive an Airbus A320 Prestige in January.
"The Middle East represents great opportunities to business aviation, and Bahrain is an excellent location to service the market in the whole Middle East," said group president Richard Gaona. "With our fleet based in Bahrain, we are more reactive on the charter market demand: it will allow our local customers to charter our VIP aircraft with no positioning costs, hence creating competitive charter solutions for all of the Middle East region."
Comlux Middle East's initial fleet comprises an Airbus A318 Elite in full VIP configuration with a large comfortable lounge, a dining room and a luxurious private area at the back, and an Airbus A319 ACJ, which includes a private bedroom at the front with its own shower, a spacious lounge with a round dining table for six and an entourage area at the back with 12 first-class seats. Both configurations cater to 19 passengers.
Comlux (Chalet A18) currently has five Airbus executive/VIP jets on its books. The new A320 destined for Bahrain is now undergoing cabin outfitting at Comlux America, the group's completion and refurbishment center at Indianapolis, Indiana. The facility can deliver four narrow-body conversions each year and has been approved by Boeing for outfitting its business jet line.
Fly Comlux is the division in charge of VIP aircraft charter and management operations, and currently has 17 aircraft. Its three operational centers are in Switzerland, Kazakhstan and Malta, and it has commercial offices in Moscow and Almaty, in addition to those in Zurich and Bahrain. The division has recently named a new CEO in Andrea Zanetto, formerly COO of Italian operator Meridiana Fl