Rizon adds Hawker 900XP, Challenger 605s Converted VIP CRJ200s to be based in ME & London

Tuesday 4th November, 2008

Rizon, the Bahrain-based executive jet company is positioning for some dramatic expansion over the next 18 months. A second Hawker 900XP will join its existing fleet mid 2009. Three Bombardier Challenger 605’s are due to enter service imminently, the first in December 2008, with the following two due in March 2009 and November 2009, respectively.

Rizon has also entered into a co-operative deal with undisclosed partners to re-engineer five CRJ200 airliners to a specification similar to the Challenger 850. “These versatile and spacious aircraft, which are less than 10 years old, will cost us well under $14 million ready to enter service by September 2010,” says Curtis. “We see a high demand for cost efficient group travel solutions and these aircraft will be ideal, both in the GCC and Europe.” At least two of the aircraft will be based at Rizon’s planned new London Biggin Hill Airport, UK facility.

The converted CRJ’s will be equipped with 16 seats in a traditional mix of arm chair, conference grouping and divan, with exceptional baggage capacity and a maximum range of 3,200nm. With full seats and baggage range is expected to be well over 2,200nm. Fresh overhauls will be conducted on the engines during overhaul and paint and interior will be identical on all five aircraft. A full modern IFE system is to be included in the specification, along with an Airshow 4000 system.

“Depreciation is likely to be minimal during our tenure and we should be able to put these aircraft, which will be more or less identical to the Challenger 850, into service at a very appealing price point,” says Curtis.

Rizon currently runs charter services in the Middle East, a region which saw a 40% growth in private aviation last year. It also runs charter services to Asia, China, India, Russia, Africa and Europe.
At the end of December last year, Rizon ushered in new ownership when the company was acquired by Ghanim Bin Saad Al Saad, a Qatari national who is chairman of the Barwa International property organization and Qatari DIYAR, the property investment arm of the Qatari Investment Group.
Rizon’s mission since its formation 18 months ago has been to meet the increasing demand for corporate aircraft charter in the Gulf Cooperation Council states. In Bahrain, it plans to expand its services to offer aircraft maintenance services, an aircraft trading and management arm and aviation training college which will be specifically aimed at growing the skills base of GCC nationals. In both Bahrain and London, Rizon has advanced plans to become an authorised service centre for various OEM’s, serving operators in the Gulf, Middle East and Indian Subcontinent markets and is currently in talks with interested parties.
Will Curtis will be attending the MEBA business aviation exhibition (www.meba.aero) in Dubai during 16-18 November. London Biggin Hill Airport is exhibiting at Stand No 724.
www.rizonjet.net

“London Biggin Hill has long needed its own hotel in order to cater for visiting aircrew who often have to travel some distance to find suitable accommodation. We see it as an extension of our services to provide visiting aircrew to Biggin Hill a convenient and competently run hotel,” comments Will Curtis.

In addition, Rizon plans to work together with London Biggin Hill Management to create a brasserie style restaurant adjoining the hotel which will provide for hotel guests, as well as ad hoc visitors.

Rizon Jet UK Limited will begin recruiting UK-based staff towards the end of the year, says Curtis. No stranger to London Biggin Hill himself, Will moved to Bahrain in October 2007 having previously served as Managing Director of Air Partner Private Jets, formerly Gold Air International, itself formerly Hawk Air the private jet operator he founded with a colleague in 1995 and twice sold on to equity partners.