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Steve Hartley, Executive Director, EAG.

Steve Hartley, executive director of Empire Aviation Group reveals how private jets can meet the travel needs of the region's business elite.

Founded in the UAE in 2007, Empire Aviation Group (EAG) is a general aviation company based in Dubai, operating from Dubai International Airport. EAG was established in response to the opportunity of the Middle East regional market for private aviation services.

The company has built an experienced team (currently around 60 international aviation specialists, from management to flight operations) offering a one-stop shop for private aviation services, including aircraft sales, aircraft charter, air ambulance services, aircraft management, aircraft financing and insurance.

EAG shareholders include DIFC Investments and Zabeel Investments, and the company aims to become the leading private aviation services company in the Middle East region, and a significant player in the international aviation market.

Why buy and own a private jet?

A private jet meets the needs of companies and individuals who want to travel to their own itinerary and schedule. It can be a cost effective and flexible way for corporate executives to travel on intensive business trips (compared to scheduled airline first class travel, for example). It's the ultimate freedom in travel and is also the ultimate in convenience, comfort and privacy and therefore also appeals to the high net worth individual.

A company jet really is a business tool; it can get you to your customers ahead of the competition and, in the competitive world in which we live, can make the difference between winning and losing a contract.

Imagine that you and your team need to be at a vital meeting in a nearby Gulf country in the morning; sign a big deal in another Gulf country in the afternoon of the same day; and be back at home in the evening to prepare for the next day's board meeting and maybe see the kids.

Scheduled airlines make it impossible and the only option is to use a private jet, which will follow your itinerary, save on hotel bills and allow you to work as you go. You may pay a premium (typically 15 percent) over first class flights, but speed and ease of travel to any destination worldwide, with just three hours' notice, often through private terminals, more than makes up the difference.

Flying to your own personal timetable can be a practical business necessity to meet deadlines or to reach inaccessible destinations; it can even be a means of ensuring total privacy, discretion and security.

As the region increasingly becomes a single market with more international business and cross border - and ever-bigger - deals, the private jet option becomes very attractive.

The business jet recently received an endorsement from the world's most successful investor - Warren Buffet of Berkshire Hathaway - who stated that company deals had been done which otherwise would not have been done, because of the availability of the company's business jet.

Isn't charter a better deal?

Not everyone can or wants to own a private jet; but many would relish the freedom and benefits and the reality is that a private jet is becoming a more realistic option for more people in the region - especially in business.

The private jet is still simply a way of getting from A to B with the minimum of fuss, maximum convenience, with a high degree of privacy and personal attention. Depending on your needs, they can be a ‘limousine in the sky' or ‘an onboard office' allowing business people to work in privacy and comfort throughout the journey.

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