Other companies with European expansion plans include DC Aviation Ltd, a subsidiary of DC Aviation GmbH, which is working to establish an FBO in Malta. The company became established in Malta in May and started operating in August. "In Malta, there is no general aviation terminal and there are two airline handling licences, which mean DC Aviation cannot yet offer handling services under its own steam and doesn't yet have its own FBO in Malta," says md Stanley Bugeja.

But DC Aviation has concluded an agreement under which it will carry out all GA and business jet handling on behalf of Air Malta. "At present, although we are considered supervisors rather than handlers, our dispatchers already meet the aircraft on the ramp," Bugeja says. "We are the only business aviation service company which offers limousine service on the ramp and a separate check-in. Other services we offer include airport-hotel transfers with chauffeur driven cars for passengers and crew, discounted hotel accommodation, vip catering, crew briefing and discounted fuel."

The company is negotiating with Malta airport, the government of Malta and the Maltese department of Civil Aviation to get its own licence. It also has advanced plans to offer its own FBO. Bugeja says: "DC Aviation feels that the growth which Malta has experienced over the past four years since joining the European Union and adopting the euro, gives the company an excellent opportunity to invest in a proper FBO to support the business and general aviation industry growth on the island."

He points out that the DC Aviation-Malta combination can further promote the DC Aviation brand and act as a regional sales office for DC Aviation Fleet, which now has more than 33 business jets.