GI Aviation, the newest name to enter the private air charter market in the UAE, is now open for bookings following the award of its air operator’s certificate (AOC) from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) last month.  

Several demo flights from its home at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi have been performed and yesterday the private company showcased its first Pilatus PC-12NG at Sky Dive Dubai. 

“This is an auspicious day for us, as we present the ultra-versatile Pilatus PC-12NG to industry guests, media and interested parties,” commented GI Aviation General Manager, Marios Belidis. “GI Aviation is the first company to operate this aircraft commercially in the region and is pioneering an all new business model for the Gulf. Our goal is to deliver a competitively priced, reliable private charter service that will encourage new clients into this sector and stimulate the market.

“We are duly looking forward to engaging with charter brokers, travel agencies, corporate entities and individuals to demonstrate the unique characteristics the Pilatus PC-12NG holds over similar sized jets. We expect demand will initially focus on key city pairs in the region where we will serve Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Sir Bani Yas from Abu Dhabi and Dubai,” he added.

The distinctive Swiss-built high-speed turboprop (520 kmph cruise speed with a pressurized cabin of up to 30,000 ft) is well suited for private group charter. Equipped with a stylish BMW DesignWorks interior the aircraft offers the jet experience with a large cargo door. 

Congratulating GI Aviation on obtaining its AOC, Ali Al Naqbi, MEBAA Chairman commented that entrepreneurial companies like GI Aviation with their flagship PC-12NG and fresh approach to marketing is going to help widen the customer base for business aviation in a region where larger jets typically dominate.  On short flight routes within the Gulf region, the PC-12NG makes commercial sense, he said. 

The state of the art PC-12NG continues to grow in popularity globally with nearly 1,400 sold to date.  

GI Aviation plans to receive their second PC-12NG aircraft in February 2017 with its primary base in Dubai South Airport.

The PC-12NG is a versatile, high-speed single engine turboprop with a cruising speed of 280 knots (520 km/h) and a pressurized cabin of up to 25,000ft.  The aircraft, configured with 6 to 8 seats, is ideal for business or leisure trips and is fitted with a generous cargo door that has a height of 4ft 4in and width of 4ft 5in.  The aircraft boasts short field take off capability and land-anywhere characteristics. It is one of the most popular turbine-powered business aircraft on the market today with more than 1,400 aircraft sold around the world. The aircraft is the most operationally efficient in its class with its appealing operating costs, ability for quick turnarounds, and versatile cabin configuration.