Press Release

Issued by Private Jet Charter.

December 26, 2010

The UAE commands 25 percent of the air charter business in the Middle East, according to International Air Charter, one of the world's largest independent private jet charter brokers, now rebranded as Private Jet Charter.

Businessmen in the UAE make 12 charter trips a year on average. According to the company, the air charter business in the Middle East is picking up again after recession forced some companies to shut down their flight operations or sell off their corporate jets, thus giving a boost to air charter business as an attractive and cost effective alternative to commercial air travel.

Commenting on the rebranding, Chief executive Hugh Courtenay, who founded the company, says: "As a 20 year old brand representing the world's leading private jet charter companies, we have changed our name to Private Jet Charter as we embark on a new journey into the world of charter travel under a changed business scenario."

From starting the business in the UK in 1991, Courtenay has overseen the growth of a major international aviation charter organisation that has now a network of offices in the UK, Nice and a significant presence in the Middle East from a busy base in Dubai. The organisation plans to open new offices in key charter hubs of Moscow and Florida in 2011.

People from all walks of life and from the widest range of areas of business, industry and commerce, are regular users of the company's services, according to Courtenay.

"Our growth has been due to a range of vital factors," says Courtenay, "from our complete dedication to our customers, to our access to what we believe is the largest and most comprehensive fleet of private jets anywhere in the world. Our sophisticated state-of-the-art aircraft sourcing technology was developed at an early stage and this Computerised Aircraft Tracking System CATS enables our aviation consultants to source available aircraft at the click of a mouse, by aircraft type, number of seats, year of manufacture and from any location in the world. When a customer calls with an enquiry, we can almost instantly provide details of the most suitable available for the clients' itinerary and give an indication price, there and then."

Elie Abdo, Managing Partner - Middle East added: "The Middle East market offers great long-term potential for us. Our client base of royal families, CEOs, and other members of the region's affluent segment has been steadily increasing as clients recognise the strategic benefits of charter jet services, particularly in terms of convenience and time savings."

The nature of the private jet charter business means that recession has had little effect on it. Private jet charter has in fact become increasingly popular in recent years as more and more people avoid security worries and expectations of long waits to check-in at airports by opting for the advantages of taking a private jet.

"Charter jet services are now considered as a convenient means of transport in the Gulf region. Our Middle East clients are now availing from our global network and we are sustaining our enhanced privileges and more personalised and customised services compared with regular commercial airline offerings. Moreover, with a whole range of aircraft readily available, our customers are convinced now that availing of our charter services is better than owning a fleet with all associated costs and logistics," added Abdo.

Specific benefits that the Private Jet Charter organisation offers its customers include 24 hour service round the year, multilingual and expert staff, competitive free quotations and advice, unique CATS aircraft sourcing technology, flight watch monitoring on all executive air charter flights. This involves keeping the PA or travel organiser informed of every stage of the journey, from limousine pick-up to take-off, progress of the flight and landing.

Also, other benefits of Private Jet Charter organisation includes state-of-the-art new generation private jets, high-calibre pilots and cabin crew, use of private business and VIP terminals, check-in only 15 minutes before departure, rapid but secure, immigration procedures, fly from an airport of your choice at your time, 'meet and greet' facilities, comprehensive airport information and limousine ground transportation, if required.