Dubai is the business aviation hub of the Middle East. Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central hosts the dedicated VIP terminal and most private jet movements; Dubai International retains a smaller executive facility. Jetex, ExecuJet and DC Aviation operate the principal FBOs. Long-range aircraft dominate the market: Gulfstream G650 and G700, Bombardier Global 7500 and Dassault Falcon 8X are common types given the distances to Europe, Asia and the US.
The providers relevant to Dubai residents include the global charter brokers and fractional operators with Gulf offices, such as VistaJet, NetJets through partners, Chapman Freeborn and Air Partner, together with aircraft sales specialists such as Jetcraft, which maintains a Dubai presence.
Aircraft registration for Dubai-based owners is split between the UAE register (A6), the Cayman Islands, San Marino, Malta and Aruba, depending on the operating model and financing structure.
What to Look For in a Dubai Aviation Professional
- A Dubai office or a documented pattern of Gulf-based transactions
- Long-range aircraft expertise, since most Gulf missions exceed six hours
- Operator safety audits and FBO relationships at DWC
- For acquisition: registry, financing and Islamic finance structuring experience