19 April 2010; Geneva, Switzerland: The newly GCAA certified Al Bateen Executive, the Gulf Region’s first dedicated private aviation airport, has posted a 30% increase in aircraft movements in the first quarter of 2010 versus the same period last year.

Brought into the airport portfolio of assets managed by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) in March 2009, Al Bateen Executive Airport made announced its first quarter traffic figures during its attendance of EBACE 2010– Europe’s premier private aviation industry exhibition, held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

Newly appointed Vice President of Al Bateen Executive Airport, and General Manager of Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies, Mohammed Al Bulooki, said: “We are pleased to announce these assuring numbers at EBACE being one of the key events on the business aviation calendar. With a 30% increase in aircraft movements and a plan to upgrade its ILS precision approach capability by the end of 2010, Al Bateen Executive Airport is establishing itself as the hub for the business aviation in the region.”

“In 2009 there were around 530 privately and company-owned jets operating, or on order, within the Middle East and Africa region; this number is expected to grow to approximately 1,190 by 2018 and being located only 5km from Abu Dhabi city centre, the UAE capital, Al Bateen Executive Airport is perfectly poised to support both local and international operators to achieve and service the regional and international demand.”

As part of its strategic expansion plans, Al Bateen Executive is going through a multi-million dollar re-development plan to enhance passenger and crew facilities. This plan will cover all aspects of the airport’s operation from the upgrade of its airfield, hangar and aviation support facilities to the re-modeling of its lounges and terminal. The plan also includes a hotel construction and expansion of retail and car park facilities as well as enjoying the benefits of Free Zone.

Along with providing the region with a unique base for private aviation, Al Bateen Executive Airport is the home for the Gulf Centre for Aviation Studies (GCAS), a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC), with new facilities due to be operational in August 2010. GCAS’ establishment was fully endorsed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to provide the Gulf and Middle East region with a centre of excellence for aviation industry training. The centre is the exclusive training provider for JAATO in the gulf and Middle East region, and is the tenth certified training center in the world to provide ACI courses. The prime location for GCAS at Al Bateen Executive allows the centre to offer theory as well as a good insight into the practice of Airport and aviation operations, and play a key role in developing the future leaders of the Middle East aviation industry.

The UAE currently has the highest concentration of business jets (37.8%) in the Middle East region, followed by Saudi Arabia (34.4%); the rest of the region making up the remaining 27.8%.