Last year, the Middle East market accounted for $300 million of pre-owned aircraft sales, comprising over a dozen transactions and representing nearly 50% of ExecuJet's total transactions during 2007. "On the back of these transactions ExecuJet Middle East has gained seven new aircraft under management, which have since joined the fleet," says Nicholas McHaffey. Currently, ExecuJet Middle East is receiving one new enquiry every week with demand largely focused on wide-bodied cabin aircraft.

Rest of World market expands as US dips
The US business aircraft market is pretty much saturated now, ExecuJet asserts. "Five years ago this would have a massive effect on aircraft values and perceptions worldwide, but that was when 70% of all business aircraft transactions were US based. Today we are competing in a global market - and we have seen the US market dip to just 40-45% of all transactions," said ExecuJet's Executive Director, Group Sales, Andrew Hoy.

"The new emerging regions such as the Middle East, India and the Far East are driving the pre- owned market," adds McHaffey. "Consider the massive lead times on new build aircraft (Year 2011 for a new Learjet; first quarter 2012 for a new Challenger 605) and it makes sense to look to the pre-owned market."

Furthermore, demand has put a premium of up to 15% on late model aircraft due to the lack of supply and customers not willing to sell.

Recent ExecuJet transactions have seen a Year 2006 model Challenger 604 sell for $2 million more than its original price and last month ExecuJet placed a year 2005 Challenger 300 for $2 million more than its original price tag due to the demand for the quality aircraft provided within the ExecuJet inventory. Even now, customers are placing multiple orders, to meet their future needs, with some prospects in the ME and Asia booking aircraft as late as 2013, McHaffey reports.

ExecuJet Aviation Group
ExecuJet Aviation Group is a leading global business aviation organization offering a diverse range of services including pre-owned and new aircraft sales, aircraft management, aircraft charter, aircraft maintenance, aircraft completions management and fixed base operations. Headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, ExecuJet Aviation Group has operations in four regions - Europe, Middle East, Africa and Australasia, embracing a workforce of over 750.

ExecuJet manages over 110 business jets worldwide under the most stringent safety standards. Its commercial fleet is operated under the regulatory umbrella of seven regional civil aviation issued air operating certificates (AOCs).

ExecuJet is a sales representative and dealer across four continents for Bombardier Business Aircraft's family of Learjet, Challenger and Global Express business jets, an exclusive agent outside North America for the sale of Grob Aerospace spn light business jets and the sole sales representative outside the Americas of the 8 to 12-passenger Aerion Supersonic Business Jet.

ExecuJet unveiled its new jet ownership program SimplyFly, tailored for high net worth individuals and corporations, earlier this year. SimplyFly is a one stop shop service incorporating aircraft acquisition, management, maintenance and operations. The offer is for whole aircraft availability at predictable cost, with a dedicated crew, the option to earn charter revenue and the ability to take the aircraft over completely at the end of its lease term.

www.execujet.net