UAE's Royal Jet in tactical move to broaden private charter appeal

Using its newly-acquired, twin-engined Learjet 35s, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered operator has lowered chartering rates for the six-seater aircraft by around 20% of prevailing market rates. Royal Jet's Learjet 35s can now be chartered from only US $2,850 an hour.

"This is a tactical move to demonstrate the affordability of private charter when, for instance, point-to-point, day return private travel from the UAE to Kuwait can be achieved for US $10,000 for six people," said Shane O'Hare, President and CEO, Royal Jet.

"We are convinced that once new clients sample the Royal Jet service of bespoke travel delivering luxury, privacy, time-sensitivity and cost-effectiveness, they will be persuaded of the 'aviation-on-demand' proposition. This is a rare opportunity for corporates and individuals to gain entry-level experience of the many benefits of private jet travel which allows clients the flexibility of traveling to their chosen destination in their own time frame."

The Learjet 35s, which have a maximum range of 2000 nautical miles and can fly for up to four hours on a single fuelling at speeds of up to 530 miles per hour and altitudes of up to 45,000 feet, are the latest aircraft to join Royal Jet's expanding fleet and will focus on intra-regional travel.

"This aircraft is one of the fastest in its class. It is a proven business tool in that it enables time-pressed executives to undertake business meetings throughout the region at their own schedules. It would, for instance, be perfectly feasible to fly to meetings in say from Abu Dhabi to Manama, Riyadh or Kuwait and returning back in a single day, something which cannot be achieved with schedules services," explained O'Hare. "Clients also have the advantage of checking in at VIP terminals avoiding airport and aircraft procedures."

Royal Jet aircraft can be booked and ready to leave within two hours of a client's request, dependent on government and air traffic control clearance.

The Learjet 35 acquisitions are the second fleet enhancement by Royal Jet within a month. In August, the company added its fifth Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to its expanding fleet making it the world's largest commercial BBJ operator.