Over the past 12 months, Empire Aviation has added four aircraft to a managed fleet now consisting of 25 business jets. Last week, the Dubai-based company also announced plans to develop a new facility next to the main VIP terminal at Al Maktoum International Airport.

According to Empire, it is seeing growing demand for aircraft management, charter, and sales services, in addition to its work as a continuous airworthiness management organization. Around one-third of its managed fleet is now available for charter.

Recent fleet additions include an ultra-long-range Gulfstream G600 based in Dubai, a large-cabin Bombardier Challenger 604 operating out of Africa, and a large-cabin Dassault Falcon 2000 in India. An Airbus Corporate Jet is about to be added as well.

The new operating base will be within the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub at the Dubai South site. According to Empire founder and managing director Paras Dhamecha, while the company operates worldwide it views the UAE as being its foundation in terms of a regulatory framework and a network of key partners.

In addition to its UAE air operator certificate, the company holds the same approval from authorities in San Marino, and it operates aircraft in the U.S., Europe, India, Africa, and Indonesia, in addition to the Middle East. It employs 130 people to deliver the various services it provides for aircraft owners and charter clients.

According to Dhamecha, growth and expansion of wealth in the UAE and surrounding Gulf states has driven investment in “world-class” infrastructure to support business aviation.

“2024 has been an exceptional year for Empire Aviation, and we see exciting times ahead both for the Middle East and other markets, where we have several new projects in the pipeline,” he said. “We see sustained international interest in all our services from various sectors, including individuals and families, corporates, and government entities.”

Empire Aviation is also an authorized independent sales representative for Gulfstream business jets in India.