Dubai 2011: Gama Aviation expands into Saudi

The charter, management and maintenance company has partnered with Jeddah-based Imitiaz Company for Aviation Services.

The new venture will be called Gama Aviation and is slated to be operational at King Abdulaziz International Airport by early 2012.
CEO Marwan Khalek said: “This is a significant announcement for Gama and is the culmination of a substantial period of planning and negotiation.”

The company will specialise in aircraft management and aims to operate charter services under its own Saudi GACA part 135 air carrier certificate.

The next step will be to add aircraft maintenance and consultancy services, replicating the company’s business model in Europe, USA and elsewhere in the Middle East.

To augment its Gulf offerings, Gama has added an Airbus ACJ 318 to its fleet. Configured with a 14-seat VIP layout, the ACJ is the largest aircraft in the company’s Middle East fleet. 

Gama is also on track to obtain its UAE GCAA CAR 145 maintenance approval and is working to complete its new 12,000sqm hangar facility at Sharjah, which will provide hangarage and maintenance facilities for business jet aircraft in the region. It will also be home to a new FBO.

Below: Gama MD Dave Edwards (left) with Airbus Corporate Jets' Francois Chazelle