Dubai-based Empire Aviation Group starts flight operations

EAG is operating two privately managed business jet aircraft - a Falcon 900EX Easy and a Hawker 850XP. The company expects to add two Hawker 800XPs to the fleet, within the first month of operations, and expects the fleet increase to six aircraft by the end of 2007.

Until the award of the AOC, EAG had been focusing on aircraft sales, following the agreement signed with Hawker Beechcraft Corporation, the world's leading business, special mission and training aircraft manufacturer, which appointed EAG as a distributor for the GCC region, and exclusive distributor in the UAE. The distributor agreement was signed at the Paris Air Show 2007.

Mr. Paras Dhamecha, CEO of Empire Aviation Group, commented:

"Empire Aviation Group has had a fantastic start-up period and the award of the AOC is another major step forward in our development. We appreciate the support of the GCAA not only for EAG but for the entire private aviation industry, which is growing strongly in the region and with Dubai as its hub. With a strong aircraft sales pipeline and active interest in our management and charter operations, we are very confident about the prospects for the company as we prepare for our first Dubai Airshow, where we will be welcoming customers and contacts to our chalet, with Hawker Beechcraft."

Empire Aviation Group offers a broad portfolio of aviation services, including Aircraft Sales, Aircraft Charter, Air Ambulance Services, Aircraft Management, Aircraft financing and Insurance. EAG was launched in July 2007 to meet the increasing demand for private aviation within the region.