High society

Keeping celebrities and politicians happy is no easy feat. But Royal Jet's directors believe their business jet service appeases even the most demanding personality.

Rubbing shoulders with high-profile figures may be unimaginable for the average person - but Shane O'Hare isn't like most people.

Since joining business jet provider Royal Jet some 12 months ago, the affable Aussie has worked with celebrities and politicians regularly featured in the global press. According to O'Hare, typical clients flying with the Abu Dhabi-based company include sports and movie stars, musicians, singers, and heads of state.

The company's strict anonymity policy prevents O'Hare from revealing names. But he admits to meeting some world famous figures at Royal Jet's facility in Abu Dhabi International Airport.

In recent months, the company flew an unnamed sports team to Melbourne, while well-known politicians travelled to China and Africa. "We regularly go out to our VIP terminal to see important people, and can talk with them in a non-intrusive way," he adds.

"It's inspirational and aspirational to chat with successful people in high positions, such as prime ministers and presidents from all over."

Celebrities aren't the only ones guaranteed anonymity. Indeed, the service also extends to business travellers flying to countries in the Middle East and beyond.

Typical destinations outside this region include Australia and the US. Other locations that the company's Boeing Business Jets, Gulfstreams and Learjets fly to are based in the Far East and Africa.

According to O'Hare, providing flights across the globe has proved popular with local and international clients. His comments are supported by the company's Middle East business aviation market share, which O'Hare says has increased to 18% since Royal Jet's inception five years ago.

Elsewhere, Royal Jet's ranks have expanded to 350 employees, including 60 pilots and 65 cabin crew, while the number of destinations flown to throughout 2007 exceeded 300.

Aside from anonymity and an extensive destination network, Royal Jet also offers quick turnaround times. O'Hare says clients can usually secure an aircraft within 24 hours of booking the flight, subject to availability.

"Someone may ring us when we are fully booked, but we can generally arrange a trip to China, for example, in 12 to 24 hours. But we have a standby crew that can do it quicker than that."

Passengers may be able to fly soon after chartering a Royal Jet aircraft, but O'Hare insists organising each flight is no easy feat. The biggest challenge is securing permits for every country the aircraft travels through on a particular journey.

Carrying out aircraft maintenance, finding available pilots and cabin crew, and meeting client's requests also need to be arranged.

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