Rizon Jet, the Middle East and UK-based business aviation group, is progressing with the development of its brand new MRO facility and FBO Terminal in Doha, State of Qatar, expected to open in January 2011. Rizon Jet is attending MEBA in Dubai this week with a large stand (C310 in the central hall) to introduce its bolstered management team and bring customers and potential customers up to date with progress on both new facilities in Doha, State of Qatar and London Biggin Hill Airport in the United Kingdom. A substantial investment in these two business aviation centers has been made to guarantee that they comprise the latest technologies and are state-of-the-art when complete early next year. Combined, they will create an additional 90 new jobs.
The company, headed by CEO Patrick Enz, moved into the Rizon Jet Centre at Doha International Airport at the end of October. Hand in hand with the infrastructure developments, Rizon Jet has now built up its operations and engineering capability, supported by some strong new management appointments. These include Captain Javed Latif who joins Rizon Jet as Director of Operations. He brings considerable experience in corporate aviation having flown a large variety of business jets after an illustrious career in the military. Simon D’Oyly, newly appointed Director of Sales and Aircraft Management, joined Rizon Jet this summer from AJA in Abu Dhabi. He was also previously MD of Aircraft Management with National Air Services in Saudi Arabia. Paul Macintyre joined Rizon Jet as Manager of Maintenance from Ocean Sky Engineering where he set up an EASA 145 Bombardier approved aircraft maintenance facility.
In Doha Rizon Jet has also been steadily adding to its maintenance and technical capabilities. It is set to obtain Qatar CAA 145 approval in December 2010 and is close to attaining EASA 145 maintenance approval in January 2011. For the longer term, the organisation is pursuing approvals for maintenance accreditation on Bermudian, Isle of Man, Pakistan, UAE and Saudi Arabian-registered aircraft. With a very sizable hanagar and is capable of accommodating four Global XRS or nine Challenger 604/605 aircraft. Adjoined in-house workshops and technical offices are covering 1,579 m².
Rizon Jets’s new FBO in Doha will be formally opened in January 2011 and will have a direct accessible to the apron. The 737 m² FBO / VIP terminal will feature four fully enclosed private lounges as well as an open lounge area with a water feature, indoor garden, duty free area as well as a male and female prayer rooms.
Airbus A319 set to join Rizon fleet
The current managed Rizon Jet fleet comprises one Global Express XRS, one Hawker 900XPs and two Challenger 605s, all operating on the Qatari Air Operating Permit (registered under A7). A significant development underway is the addition of a brand new Airbus A319 (ACJ) to its managed fleet. Oryx Jet, Rizon Jet’s UK affiliate, is managing further one Hawker 900XP and one Premier 1A.
“Our customer wants a comfortable and spacious environment for his family and friends during his travels. The new Airbus ACJ ticks all the boxes for his requirements. Moving into the management of an Airbus Corporate Jetliner was both a natural and desirable step for us,” commented Rizon Jet CEO Patrick Enz.
London Biggin Hill Airport update
In parallel with developments at Doha, Rizon Jet opened its brand new hangar at London Biggin Hill Airport at the end of August 2010. The MRO facility has been focusing on its maintenance capability with Rizon Jet now holding approvals for the Citation 560 Series, Hawker family 780, 800, 800XP, 850XP, 900XP and 1000, plus the Bombardier Challenger 600 series. It also provides support on wheels, tyres and batteries. Rizon Jet is also in talks with several OEMs to offer maintenance support on several aircraft types.
The two level FBO / VIP Terminal will be completed in April 2011 just ahead of EBACE next year. “Harmonising and undertaking the shape and development of two, brand new, VIP FBOs simultaneously was, in hindsight, more ambitious than we first realized,” acknowledged Patrick Enz, CEO. Sourcing the right materials to do the work took longer than anticipated. However, the decisions we have taken to further enhance both FBOs and the consideration and attention we have put into choosing the right management and personnel means that our clients will experience a far more superior experience when Rizon formally opens next spring.”
Rizon Jet’s move to London Biggin Hill will see the group established in its new premises ahead of the 2012 Olympics, which the airport is placing a lot of emphasis on, addressing how it can provide capacity. “Hangar space in the south of England is in strong demand and we are getting strong interest in this, together with our third party maintenance capabilities,” added Patrick Enz.
Assessing the risks
Supporting the continued strategy of providing a secure and safe service, Rizon Jet has appointed UK headquartered, Control Risks, an independent specialist security and risk analysis consultancy, to assist their operations team. The international business, which has 37 offices on five continents, provides qualified advice that will shore up Rizon Jet’s ability to manage unpredictable or hostile situations.
Control Risks, in combination with medical, health care and security services specialists International SOS, monitor and report on events and conditions that may present disruption, or a threatening situation to a travel schedule. The practical advice provided will bolster Rizon Jet’s route planning to ensure the most secure route is taken, particularly when heading into potentially hostile territory, and will generate contingency plans as required.
“We live in a rapidly changing and sometimes unstable world, and our passengers are influential and powerful people who need to know they are travelling within the safest possible parameters. Whilst all aircraft are insured under our AOC, partnering with Control Risks and utilizing their skill sets, knowledge base and extensive research adds another level of security,” commented Patrick Enz on the partnership. “This is important for us as we are dedicated to ensuring best possible practice, and crew and client security continues to be a major priority.”
About Rizon Jet
Rizon Jet was founded in 2006 and is headquartered in Doha, State of Qatar, with additional operating bases strategically located in the Middle East (United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain) and Europe (United Kingdom). The Rizon Group focuses on providing a comprehensive suite of private aviation services ranging from aircraft charter, aircraft maintenance, aircraft management, FBO / VIP Terminal services to aircraft sales, financing and consulting. Its mission is to deliver top quality services combining traditional Arabic hospitality with world renowned aviation standards.
Rizon Jet is part of Ghanim Bin Saad Al Saad & Sons Holdings (GSSG Holdings) headquartered in Doha, State of Qatar.
