Arab Wings, based in Amman, Jordan, has acquired a Beech 1900D, which is likely to be used by oil companies as a staff shuttle throughout the Middle East.

The 1999 aircraft is on dry-lease for three years to Swiss charterers Zimex Aviation, which specialises in supplying private aircraft to the oil industry.

The Zurich-based charterer will be using the 1900D for operations in Algeria, Libya and Saudi Arabia. It will be based at Hassi Massoud in Algeria.

Sameer Hdairis, general manager of Arab Wings, says: "It will be for charter, but it is also likely it will be dedicated to one of [Zimex's] oil customers, such as BP or Total."

He says Arab Wings selected the 1900D, which had flown around 6,000 hours at the time of purchase, because it was a "proven utility aircraft".

Arab Wings also owns a Challenger 604, two Hawker 800XPs and a King Air B200. "By the end of the year," adds Hdairis, "we will have a Gulfstream 450 as well." (EBAN June).

He says business aviation is starting to catch on in Jordan with "some companies popping up recently," and that Arab Wings is the largest operator in the country.

Arab Wings, which specialises in VIP charter aircraft, was spun off from partner company Royal Wings, which focuses on larger aircraft types. Royal Wings is now owned by Royal Jordanian Airlines, Hdairis says, while Arab Wings is owned by a group of investors.