German-based DC Aviation has entered into a joint venture with the Al Futtaim Group of the UAE to build a hangar at DWC Al Maktoum airport to house an air charter and line maintenance operation.

Having planned the project for three years, the company is currently commissioning the hangar, including vip lounge facilities, and expects it to be operational by April 2012. "With a hangar area second to none in the UAE, the operation will be particularly interesting for aircraft management clients owning Airbus 319 jets and equivalent aircraft types," a spokesperson says.

The joint venture was formally agreed by Omar Al Futtaim, vice chairman of the Al Futtaim Group and Michael Kuhn, ceo of DC Aviation. Established in the 1930s, Al-Futtaim is headquartered in Dubai and has several operational divisions including automotive, engineering, electronics, retail, financial services, general services, real estate and leisure. It employs over 20,000 people.

Meanwhile DC Aviation has received ETOPS 180 approval for its Airbus A319CJ vvip fleet.

Previously only a range of 120 minutes was allowed, and the new approval is significant because it means that direct flights to destinations such as Hawaii are now possible.

On a long-distance flight from London to Barbados, DC Aviation reports, the flight time is shortened by an hour, since a more direct route can be flown. Fuel consumption drops by two tons.

The approval was preceded by a thorough testing procedure through the LBA. The air traffic authority examined all relevant documents of the business from the past five years – from aircraft and engine records to safety information and other operative data.

The 180-minute rule also applies to most of the other business jets in the DC Aviation fleet.