A multi-engine, instrument rated pilot, James Wynbrandt has been an AIN and Business Jet Traveler contributor since 2003. His in-depth reporting and insightful features have won more than a dozen editorial honors, including two National Business Aviation Association Gold Wing Awards (2019; 2021), and his articles have also appeared in the New York Times, Barron’s, Fortune, Forbes, and Smithsonian Air &amp; Space. He has flown his Mooney M20K 252 on assignments throughout North and Central America and the Caribbean. Wynbrandt is also the author of Flying High (Wiley &amp; Sons), a biography of Jet Blue founder David Neeleman, as well as histories, references works, and books on a variety of other topics from major publishers. He lives in New York City.

Contributor - Business Aviation

James Wynbrandt

The Middle East is continuing its trend in the growth of new aircraft deliveries, according to data released this week at MEBA 2012 by Hawker Beechcraft, which says it is picking up a good proportion of new orders for turboprops.


“We are well positioned to benefit from an increase in demand in the Middle East and lead the turboprop category in the region, with a market share of more than 70 percent for our King Airs,” said Scott Plumb, Hawker Beechcraft vice president of sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa.


Overall business aircraft deliveries in the region increased more than 130 percent between the 2002-2006 and 2007-2011 periods, according to data from the Wichita-based aircraft manufacturer. In the latter period, 246 turbine aircraft were delivered to customers in the Middle East, versus 106 deliveries in the preceding five years.


A total of 626 turbine business aircraft are currently based in the region, according to the airframer. Saudi Arabia accounts for 21 percent of the fleet, followed by the UAE with 17 percent. Aircraft deliveries to these countries increased, respectively, by 146 percent and 250 percent in the periods analyzed.

Middle East Bizav Fleet Growing Rapidly, Says Hawker Beech

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