DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) has been issued its air operator certificate (AOC) by the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

The proving flight to complete the certification took off from Stuttgart, Germany, with GCAA officials on board and landed at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport located at Dubai World Central (DWC) earlier this week. 

With the AOC in hand, DCAF can now operate and manage third-party business aircraft commercially which includes aircraft charter under the UAE’s A6 registration. 

DCAF, which is currently the only fully integrated business aviation facility at DWC, will initially begin its commercial operations with a Bombardier Global XRS aircraft. 

Holger Ostheimer, General Manager at DCAF, said: “We are extremely pleased to have cleared all the regulatory requirements to receive our AOC. The receipt of the certification culminates over a year’s work and I would like to congratulate and thank the entire team at DCAF for their efforts.

“With the AOC, DCAF is now in a position to offer a complete turnkey solution to business jet owners and we believe there is a real demand for such services that require the highest levels of quality and professionalism. Also with this certification, DCAF extends the geographic footprint of the DC Aviation Group which has over 15 years’ experience operating private and business jet aircraft to airline standards. 

The certificate marks the latest achievement for the company that has handled over 1,000 aircraft movements since commencing operations. 

DCAF has a state-of-the-art hangar, maintenance facility, offices and a VVIP lounge at its base in Al Maktoum International Airport at DWC, which is billed as the world’s first ‘aerotropolis’. 

The hangar offers business jet owners and operators a premium facility to base their assets and the highest degree of convenience and comfort exceeding the expectations of its VVIP guests. Measuring 5,700 sq m, the hangar can accommodate four ACJ or BBJ heavy business jets, plus two ultra-long range business jets such as the Falcon 7X, Global Express, or Gulfstream G550. 

On the maintenance side, DCAF can support maintenance on the Airbus 320, Bombardier Global Express and more recently the Challenger 604/605 series aircraft.

The plush 1,300-sq-m lounge area is designed to international standards and offers local, regional and international VVIP customers the highest levels of comfort and privacy, shower areas and a conference room. 

With a dedicated ramp parking area spanning 7,700 sq m, the facility also offers the shortest distance from drop-off to aircraft steps, 24/7 on-site immigration, customs and security facilities, and flexibility by having no operational restrictions therefore flying when needed.

A joint venture between Dubai-headquartered Al-Futtaim and Germany’s DC Aviation, one of the leading European business jet operators, DCAF was the first operation to open a hangar and lounge facility within DWC.