Eying an increasing business jet market in the Middle East and Africa, business aviation services companies Private Jet Charter (PJC) and Jet Connections are teaming to establish a firm specializing in private aircraft management, sales and acquisition in the regions. The new company, X Jets, has opened its headquarters in Dubai with a “soft launch,” and will begin full operations early next year. Initially it will serve the Middle East market and expand into Africa and India later next year, the founders said.

“Business jet delivery is huge in the Middle East, which has driven us to launch this new company. X Jets will provide a strong growth driver in a very fast expanding market,” said Hugh Courtenay, chairman of the new company and founder and CEO of PJC.

The founders noted that the Middle East and Africa accounted for nearly 8 percent of global aircraft shipments in 2014 and that the UAE is the third largest market for business aircraft in Middle East, claiming a 17 percent market share. “Selecting Dubai as a base for X Jets is ideal as it is a gateway to all other markets,” added Zaher Deir, managing director of X Jets and Jet Connections.

X Jets will be supported by both PJC and Jet Connections. PJC is an international charter services company that has offices in London, Nice, Fort Lauderdale and Moscow, in addition to the new Dubai base. UK-based Jet Connections provides management, sales and acquisitions services.