Egypt’s ZAS selects spn
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Posted Date: 01/03/2008
Issue: Executive & VIP Aviation International March 2008
Publication: Executive & VIP Aviation International
Omar Zarkani is Managing Director of ZAS Aviation Services – a private Egyptian company established in 1976 by Chairman Sherif Zarkani, the Managing Director’s father. Osman Zarkani – the brother – is in charge of the private jet part of the business and the sister heads up the human resources function. This is very much a family affair.
Whilst the family set-up is nothing extraordinary in the private jet business, the growth of executive flight operations out of a ground handling company is unique. “We had previously been exporters of fresh products,” explains Managing Director Zarkani. “At that time, we did not have representation within Egypt to make sure all our exports were well handled and departed on time to their different European destinations.” The Zarkani family therefore established itself as handling agents and then offered their services first to other cargo carriers in Egypt and then to passenger carriers. “Today, ground handling is still our main activity but we also carry out some charter flights and aircraft management,” comments Zarkani.
In 1982, ZAS Aviation Services also established ZAS Airline of Egypt, which was one of the first privately owned airlines in the region, but that slice of the business declined in 1995 in the face of strong competition and the company returned to its core business of ground handling. “Today we are re-establishing this operator status but we are only focusing on smaller private jets,” explains Zarkani.
As a result, ZAS Air has been established – which is the holder of the air operator’s certificate from the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation – and will be the division that operates the spn aircraft when they are delivered from 2009. Additionally within the group there is ZAS Jet Club which promotes the chartering of private aircraft. “Chartering private aircraft is a growing activity within the region but it is still a little behind when you compare it with Saudi Arabia, Dubai or Kuwait. We are trying to enter the market and educate it by letting people know that it is easy to charter an aircraft and it is also possible to own an aircraft,” he says.
Selecting the spn
The selection of the spn aircraft has been a very considered decision at ZAS Aviation Services. “Its size and range are exactly what we need in this region. We have a lot of domestic operations – Egypt is a very big tourist destination – but local domestic flights are not up to standard – especially for VIP customers,” comments Zarkani. “We have noticed over the last couple of years that there are more of these passengers choosing to fly privately between Cairo and the Egyptian resorts.” The three hour range of the spn accommodates flights from Cairo to destinations such as the Lebanon and Jeddah. “With a lower capacity of passengers we could also reach Dubai,” he says. “We have also established a company in Sudan and there is a very high demand for this type of aircraft in that country. The spn is well equipped to land on short runways and it can also land on rougher terrain – which is often the case in Sudan.” Zarkani continues: “Another advantage is that, because of the composite construction, minor repairs can be carried out on the spot. That is a huge advantage in the Middle East – especially in Egypt – where there are few maintenance facilities.”
So what makes Zarkani so confident in the private jet markets in Egypt and the surrounding region that he is risking the acquisition and operation of four new spn jets and the costs associated with their ownership? “We have identified a lot of leisure travellers and government officials that will be interested in these operations,” responds Zarkani. “There is huge investment in Egypt at present, especially in the real estate and industrial sectors. That business is also coming from the Gulf countries. That is why we are so positive about ordering this number of aircraft.”
So this very established ground handling services provider with previous experience of airline operations is awaiting the next phase of its development with great anticipation. “There is no business without risks and you have to take a leap of faith every once in a while,” Zarkani ventures.
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