Bring on the orders

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A DISTINGUISHED achievement of Avex 2008 is the remarkable doubling of the number of contracts signed during the event. Egyptian and Arab companies on one side and US and European aircraft manufacturers on the other have signed five contracts during this year's event against only one contract signed in 2006 to purchase two helicopters by Petroleum Air Service.

Although the Avex expo is designed for small and midsize aircraft, the national carrier EgyptAir signed a contract with Boeing ordering two B777-300. According to EgyptAir Chairman and CEO Captain Tawfic Assi, the deal is being financed through the US Exports and Imports Bank. "The new orders come within our plan to expand the fleet to 72 aircraft by 2012. Deliveries are scheduled for the years 2013 and 2014," commented Assi. "The new contract takes the airline's orders of the same class B777-300 ER to 10 aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled for four aircraft by 2010, two more by 2011, one in 2013 and one in 2014," Assi concluded.

Cessna Aircraft Company could leave the event with two contracts to sell five aircraft to two operators. Egyptian business jet operator, Smart Aviation, signed a contract with Cessna Aircraft Company in Sharm El-Sheikh to purchase an additional Citation Sovereign business jet, bringing its order to six jets of the same type. The aircraft will be delivered through 2009. Cessna also announced it has delivered the third Citation Sovereign business jet to Smart Aviation during the exhibition. Smart has placed an order for five Citation Sovereign aircraft worth more than $80 million in 2007.

Operating in early 2007, Smart Aviation is a business jet charter operator based in Cairo and is partially owned by EgyptAir. "One of the three jets is to be used for medical services while the other two are planned to support our business fleet," commented Hussein Masoud, Smart Aviation CEO. "We are delighted that Smart Aviation is enjoying success with the citation sovereign. Its combination of high temperature performance, spacious cabin and stowage, and APU-supported air conditioning demonstrates how well suited the Citation Sovereign is to the needs of the Middle East," said Cessna Vice President, International Sales Trevor Esling. Cessna also received an order for four Citation Mustang business jets from Egyptian Aviation Academy (EAA).

EAA is the Middle East's oldest flying school which aims to become a significant provider of pilot training services in the region. The academy already operates a Cessna 172 for training purposes. "EAA is committed to providing world class services to our customers across the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. Introducing the Citation Mustang is a step in this strategy," stated Hassan M Hassan, EAA chairman and CEO. EAA will take delivery of its Citation Mustangs in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Petroleum Air Services PAS signed two contracts to order a Eurocopter EC 135 and a Bell helicopter to boost its fleet, which consists of Bombardier Dash-7 and Dash-8 aircraft. The company offers air taxi services including charter flights, VIP flights and even semi-scheduled flights.

On the other hand, the US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing released the 2008 current market outlook on the eve of Avex air show. "Middle East airlines will need 1,580 new planes worth $260 billion in the next 20 years. Regional jets will account for four per cent of this with 60 planes, single-aisle 42 per cent with 660 planes, twin-aisle 44 per cent with 690 planes and large carriers 11 per cent with 170 planes."

The aviation industry in the Middle East has been witnessing remarkable growth, with air travel averaging more than 12 per cent over the last five years, according to Drew Magill, Director, marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.