Falcon Aviation Services has purchased two CSeries Jetliners which will be vvip configured and available for charter. The operator, based in Abu Dhabi, considered several large jets prior to the deal, as coo Mahmoud Ismael explains: “After careful investigation, we felt that the market we serve was saturated with the same type of aircraft that uses decades old technology. We wanted to offer something new to complement our great service.

“At Falcon we pride ourselves on thinking outside the box and taking on fresh ideas and initiatives. We were already in the process of buying Q400 Next GEN aircraft from Bombardier for our commercial operations and were given a chance to see what the CSeries can do up close.

“We believe the market is ready for a modern aircraft, built from the ground up with a clean sheet rather than continuously trying to improve on old technology. The CSeries also offers the very latest engine technology and fits perfectly into the market segment we are looking to fill.”

The first CS300 is set for delivery in the first quarter of 2016, and it will be received in green configuration. “The aircraft will allow us to take on missions where a large entourage is flying or for corporate customers who need to move a large number of executives over long distances,” adds Ismael. “We are currently developing the interior to allow for flexibility for the vip and business traveller.” The aircraft has a range of 4,000 nm with reduced emissions and noise level.

Falcon is seeing an improvement in the business aviation market in the Middle East and believes this is the perfect moment to introduce further jets. “The market in the Middle East is rebounding following the recession and we are seeing stronger business month on month. We are also experiencing an increase in high net worth individuals purchasing private jets which is always a sign the market is gaining strength,” remarks Ismael. “Many of the 'weaker players' have disappeared from the landscape. This is a positive for the market since only the reputable operators remain, offering a quality product to the client and constantly improving the industry in the Middle East.”

He is keen to expand the business in Europe and Africa; presently a greater share of Falcon's trade comes from Europe rather than Africa, but he says that the future is looking promising.

Ismael concludes: “We are developing a strategy that allows us to offer our clients the full spectrum of private jet charters. We will be a one-stop-shop for most of our clients' needs.

“We have a great advantage here because we are always on the lookout for new ideas and trends. We are able to develop new approaches very quickly which keeps us on the leading edge.”