Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation has opened a regional parts distribution center near Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai, UAE. 

The US business jet manufacturer revealed the news as the 2015 Dubai Airshow got under way today.

The centre, located in Dubai South, formerly known as Dubai World Central, houses high-usage items and provides rapid-response support to Gulfstream’s factory-authorised service centre and customers throughout the Middle East, India and Africa.

“Our new distribution centre is in a prime location to serve our customers,” said Derek Zimmerman, president, Gulfstream Product Support. “Al Maktoum International is projected to be the world’s largest airport and appears poised to become the preferred business aviation airport in the Dubai area. The state-of-the-art facility within the fast-cycle logistics environment of Dubai South will enable us to more efficiently address customer requirements.”

Gulfstream has started stocking parts at the new regional distribution center, which is approximately 6,000 sq ft/557 sq m. The facility is expected to have approximately $10 million in parts and materials inventory by the end of 2015. 

Gulfstream worked with the Kuehne + Nagel Group to provide the warehouse and handle logistics services.

Gulfstream maintains a worldwide spares inventory of more than $1.6 billion.

Gulfstream’s customer resources in the Middle East help support a fleet of more than 180 aircraft in the Middle East, India and Africa. Most are based in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and India. The resources include Jet Aviation’s service centre at Dubai International Airport and fixed-based operation (FBO) at Al Maktoum International along with Jet Aviation FBOs in Jeddah, Medina and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The inventory at Gulfstream’s new regional distribution center complements what is housed at Jet Aviation’s warehouse at Dubai International.

A wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, Gulfstream designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business jets. Gulfstream has produced more than 2,400 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the G150, the G280, the G450, the G550, the G500, the G600, the G650 and the G650ER. 

Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales. The company employs more than 16,000 people at 12 major locations.