Emirates (EK, Dubai International) will decide this year whether or not to expand its VIP subsidiary Emirates Executive's fleet which currently consists of a single luxury A319-100(CJ) configured with ten private suites, a dining and executive lounge, and a shower spa.
Speaking at the recently concluded Middle East Business Aviation 2014 (MEBA) convention held in Dubai, Adnan Kazim, Emirates' divisional senior vice president of planning, aeropolitical, and industry affairs, said that since the operation's launch in August 2013, Emirates Executive has seen strong demand for its global charter services from clients in the Middle East, China, Russia, and Africa in particular.
"We are enabling company executives, large family groups and government delegations to fly further, faster and benefit from unrivalled comfort and new technologies. There remains significant growth in the large cabin segment of the private charter industry and Emirates Executive posted strong first year results," he said.
Having more or less found a stable footing, the VIP operation is now considering branching out into the sector through partnerships with other VIP-oriented firms.
"We will continue to raise awareness of our offering and target key source markets in order to tap into new demand. We are also looking at partnering with new segments like tour operators that sell luxury global tours and hospitality companies promoting personalised travel packages," he continued.
Regional rival Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad International) established its own VIP operation - Qatar Executive (QQE, Doha International) - in 2009 operating a fleet of eight aircraft, comprising three Challenger 605s, four Global 5000s and one Global XRS. It recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gulfstream Aerospace (GLF, Savannah International) for firm orders and options for twenty Gulfstream G500 and G650ER business jets.
