Story ID: 
RightJet Partners on New Iraq Office
By: Peter Shaw-Smith
Caption: RightJet sees Kurdistan’s tourism potential as factor behind decision to team up with Future Travel.
Word Count: 227
Dubai International Airport-based business aircraft charter, sales, leasing, and management company RightJet has set up an office in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, in partnership with Future Travel. The latter company is a unit of conglomerate Future Group that cooperates with the Kurdistan Regional Government to market the autonomous region in northern Iraq as a global tourist destination and investment hub.

“We are proud to form this partnership with Future Travel and to be the first international aircraft charter and sales company to have a physical presence in Iraq,” said RightJet CEO Mark Hardman. “We see great market potential and under the strategic partnership arrangement.”

Hardman sees Kurdistan’s allure as a safe destination as important. “It’s primarily for business,” he said. “There’s also the green shoots of tourism. Coming out of Covid, people are going to want something with a bit more depth, something a bit different. Great food, great people. A lot of investment going on in housing, malls, and brands moving in. It’s good for business. The whole experience is amazing—and very safe.”

Meanwhile, RightJet is planning to open several new offices next year in both developed and emerging markets as the company focuses on international expansion. Hardman told AIN that its aircraft brokerage activities usually encompass Bombardier Challengers and Globals, as well as Gulfstreams.