Expansion by Chinese companies in the Middle East has spurred Hong Kong-based business aviation services group Sino Jet to establish its new international base in Dubai. The move announced at last week’s MEBAA trade show in the UAE has been bolstered by related partnership agreements with local companies Jetex and Falcon Aviation.

Sino Jet is now recruiting industry professionals in the Middle East to work alongside senior managers relocated from its headquarters to establish aircraft management and charter operations. The company has deployed a Gulfstream G550 to be available to clients in the region and said it expects to add more aircraft as its market share grows.

According to Sino Jet, its main focus in the Middle East will be business aircraft management and charter work, as well as customized luxury travel services. A company spokesperson also told AIN that it aims to be involved in “low-altitude aircraft” operations, which will likely include eVTOL and drone services.

Partnership With Falcon

On December 17, Sino Jet announced a partnership with the Abu Dhabi-based Falcon Aviation group, which is also active in aircraft management and charter, as well as operating FBOs and providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services. Along with ground services group Jetex, Falcon has agreed to support Sino Jet’s expansion plans in the Middle East, leveraging its Falcon Luxe, Falcon Elite, Falcon Technic, and Falcon Flight Support business units.

Chinese industrialists and other business ventures have been putting down roots in the Middle East, encouraged by their government’s “Belt and Road” initiative to diversify in international markets that also include Africa. Its new Sino Jet International business is run by Chris Wu, who was previously president of the group's Beijing operation. She and her team have also signed a partnership agreement with Honeywell.

“Over the past two years, as the Middle East has enjoyed continuous growth and attracted increasing attention from global investors, the demand for Sino Jet’s business jet services to and from the region has been steadily increasing,” said Sino Jet International’s president, Chris Wu. “Recognizing this trend early on, Sino Jet has been progressively boosting its investment in the Middle East.”

Despite what Sino Jet acknowledged has been a steep decline in the number of business jets based in China in recent years, the company said it now has more than 40 aircraft in its fleet. It now claims over a 15% of the market share in China and has a strong position in the wider Asia-Pacific region.

"The cornerstone of successful internationalization for enterprises is a steadfast focus on the customer, along with a deep understanding and fulfillment of their needs," Wu said. "Sino Jet is committed to this principle, effectively utlilizing the expertise and resource strengths of its local operational teams to ensure prompt and accurate responses to the business jet service requirements of Chinese companies operating abroad."