The global reach of the FIFA World Cup is pushing up demand for private jets, and there’s a size and type to get fans from anywhere to Doha.
Private aviation is one of the few parts of air travel that has benefited from COVID. Waiting lists for new business jets are measured in years, first-time buyers have flooded the market and charter operators have more customers than seats. Being able to go where you want, with whom you choose and avoid crowded, unreliable and chaotic airports has never been more attractive. Throw in major sporting events, like the FIFA World Cup 2022, and it's no wonder inquiries and bookings are already peaking.
At the pointy end in meeting that demand is Dubai-based DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, a fixed-base operator (FBO) which offers services including private jet charter, aircraft management and maintenance. Business Airport International reported that DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) is receiving a surge in requests for private jets as football fans prepare to descend on Qatar for the FIFA World Cup. The tournament will run from November 21 and culminate with the final on Sunday, December 18. DCAF managing director, Holger Ostheimer said:
"We have seen a sharp increase in inquiries for the later stages of the tournament from the first week of December until the finals which take place on December 18 at the 80,000-capacity Lusail stadium. We are closely monitoring the level of inquiries and are well prepared with our offering."
DCAF has a wide fleet of aircraft to choose from, ranging from a four-seat Cessna Citation Mustang to the nine-seat Bombardier Challenger 604 and through to a 19-seat Airbus A319 Corporate Jet. On its website, DCAF has four helicopters and 14 business jets to choose from, plus a simple range calculator to help select the right size aircraft for the trip to Doha.
In terms of range, from London Heathrow Airport (LHR), a Bombardier Challenger 300 can comfortably carry eight the 2,800 nautical miles (5,250 kilometers) to Doha, while from New York, a group of 16 can enjoy the space of the Gulfstream G550. From Madrid (MAD), the eight-seat Embraer Praetor 500 will suffice, although, from football-crazy Brazil, the Gulfstream G650 with 13 seats has the range to cover the 6400NM (11,850km) from Sao Paulo (GRU) to Doha. The 19-seat Airbus A319CJ is listed with a range of 3600NM, so a bigger group of European fans might prefer that size for the trip.
Germany's DC Aviation originated in 2002 from DaimlerChrysler Aviation, a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, home of Mercedes-Benz luxury cars. Today DC Aviation is the largest business jet operator in Germany and one of Europe's leading operators, with facilities in Stuttgart, Munich and Malta. In 2013 it formed DC Aviation Al-Futtaim, a joint venture with Dubai-based Al-Futtaim, a conglomerate of more than 100 companies with global operations. DCAF obtained its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) in 2015 and was one of the first business jet operators to set up a base at the Al-Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai.
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Of course, apart from the luxury and security, the big benefit of private aviation is the walk-on and walk-off aspect, where the only crowd is your companions. For DCAF's guests, the immigration, customs and security checks are done within the FBO and are measured in minutes, not the hours spent at a large commercial airport. From there, it is just a short walk to the waiting aircraft, which is prepped and ready to go when you are. It is expensive and outside the reach of most, but for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, there will be many who hop onboard a private jet to Doha. How does it sound to you?
Source: Business Airport International
Journalist – A professional aviation journalist writing across the industry spectrum. Michael uses his MBA and corporate business experience to go behind the obvious in search of the real story. A strong network of senior aviation contacts mixed with a boyhood passion for airplanes helps him share engaging content with fellow devotees. Based in Melbourne, Australia.