EXECUTIVE INTERVIEW: GUY FARNFIELD MSC FRAES, MANAGING DIRECTOR, FLYINGGROUP
Click on image to download high resolution version
What are the key predictions in the business aviation market in the region, in terms of growth, challenges and opportunities?
Growth: The UAE is fast becoming the regional service provider for the business fleet in the Middle East, East Africa, Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. The Dubai South (DWC Airport) in particular is experiencing a proliferation of maintenance providers, hangars and cabin repair experts. There are estimated to be 200-250 business jets using Dubai as a regular base. So we envisage the UAE to continue being a cornerstone for the region's business jet industry. The GCC states are expected to see more fleet growth in the coming years thanks to expanding corporate fleets and individual ownership,
Challenges: sourcing experienced talent has always been a challenge. Geopolitical challenges including regional security and unrest are common here, so you need an agile and expert operations team to navigate around the issues. Also, each country has its own regulations - standardization would help streamline operations and encourage industry growth.
Opportunities: business jet owners will always require quality aircraft managers and operators. We see great opportunity in the UAE to expand our regional customer base by offering our selection of AOCs combined with local account management. Should we find the right opportunities to introduce our FBO and MRO capabilities to the region, we will do so. It is exciting to see other Gulf nations such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar invest heavily in tourism and diversification which opens doors for luxury services.
Why is the Middle East considered an important growth market for your business?
We are well established in Europe - Flying Group has been operating for nearly 30 years and manages over 50 aircraft - so it is a natural step to offer our expertise across other markets. There is extreme wealth in the Middle East, with an estimated 57 to 71 billionaires in the Arab World. Dubai alone has 38 billionaires according to Arabian Business. The region's business jet fleet is growing. It has been a historical meeting point for the East and West, a global crossroads, attracting aircraft owners, such as businesspeople, corporations and royalty. Our operational knowledge covers all sizes and types of business jets. We are confident that our bespoke aircraft management solutions will add great value to the ownership experience.
Are there any specific geographical regions where you see significant opportunities for expansion or exploration? How is the appetite from Saudi Arabia and India?
Dubai has the largest concentration of business jets in the Middle East, currently, so we see significant opportunity here. Saudi Arabia holds immense potential but it is not easy to forecast when private individuals and companies will start growing the local fleet again, however, it remains a significant driver for charter business in the meantime. For India, with an estimated 167 billionaires, it is another key growth market, which we plan to explore. Using our Dubai platform we will also be exploring Central Asia and Africa: these regions enjoy booming commodity industries, with fast emerging economies, and need to be connected to the rest of the world.
Which technologies do you anticipate will have the most significant impact on the business aviation industry over the next five years?
Software services being adapted and tailored to streamline aircraft operations, management and accounting. We have been doing this in-house for many years and offer our aircraft owners exclusive access. It is also inevitable that we will see AI incorporated in such software and being used across our industry for operational efficiency (e.g. flight planning, maintenance scheduling, crew coordination), to enhance safety and customer experience, analyze market trends, and automate reporting processes. Additionally, in Dubai at least, we hope to see eVTOL technology complementing business jet operations and saving our customers even more time.
What aspects of this year’s MEBAA Show are you most excited about? Are there specific individuals or companies you hope to connect with?
We look forward to connecting with our current customers for our charter fleet, owner representatives from our managed fleet, and hope to meet new prospective customers for our entire portfolio including our FBO and base maintenance services. Having the latest business jets displayed on static is always stimulating for our industry so we also wish to see and hear of new orders being made for the region. We will also be eager to connect with industry partners such as the OEMs, suppliers and fellow operators.
Are there any plans to unveil any new products or services at the show?
Our plan for MEBAA 2024 is to demonstrate our sincere intention to grow in the Middle East, to serve and support aircraft owners here, and fulfill their exacting requirements with our flexible approach to aircraft management.
What initiatives have been introduced or will be introduced focused on sustainability and how does it align with the aviation industry's growing focus on environmental responsibility?
We have an ambitious sustainability program that sets new standards in the industry. We have already achieved several concrete steps to minimize our ecological footprint:
- HQ offices produce more energy than they consume
- Electric mobility solutions for staff members’ bicycles and cars
- Electric ground handling equipment on the apron at our Antwerp FBO/MRO
- Flight plan optimization and SAF to minimize emissions
- Carbon offsetting through various ETS schemes
- Pioneering cooperation with sustainable aircraft manufacturers
We are investing time, energy and resources in the latest aircraft technology, including electric and carbon emission-free planes, which we aim to integrate into our fleet in the near future.
Are the needs and preferences of clients in the Middle East market different?
The needs and preferences are different for every individual client, irrespective of region. So we adapt, managing every possible detail, with the aim of going above and beyond expectations.
Do you need to tailor your products and services for the region?
There are certainly cultural considerations when delivering a luxury service in the Middle East; especially in the cabin and in FBOs, including privacy, seven-star hospitality and dietary preferences. Business in the Middle East is very much about relationships and taking a view as a partnership to ensure longevity, which is exactly why we are growing our regional presence, to support our local customers.
Do you want to share more details on your organization's plans and strategies for the region moving forward?
Our primary focus for the Middle East will be to support aircraft owners with our deep experience in aircraft management, operation, and charter sales if they choose to offset ownership costs. In parallel we are open to opportunities to introduce our FBO and MRO capabilities.
