By Pratap John
Chief Business Reporter

Abdul Aziz bin Mohamed al-Noaimi and Ghanim bin Saad al-Saad among others at Rizon Jet’s facility in Doha. In the background is a Rizon aircraft. Pictures: Jayan Orma
Qatar- and UK-based business aviation services firm Rizon Jet, a subsidiary of Ghanim bin Saad al Saad & Sons Group Holdings (GSSG), inaugurated its VIP Terminal in Doha yesterday.
Rizon Jet’s Doha facility comprises a private lounge, hangar and state-of-the art service facilities.
The facility near the Doha International Airport was jointly inaugurated by Civil Aviation Authority chairman Abdul Aziz bin Mohamed al-Noaimi and Ghanim bin Saad al-Saad, founder of the Ghanim bin Saad al Saad & Sons Group
Holdings.
As the only independent private jet operator with its own terminal in Qatar, Rizon Jet is “uniquely positioned” to meet the demand of the burgeoning Gulf market, the business aviation services firm said.
Rizon Jet is also the only Middle East operator to have a “luxurious” VIP fixed-based operations (FBO) in Biggin Hill, London’s international aviation hub.
With its “engineering capability,” Rizon Jet said it intends to be a “key player” in providing engineering and maintenance services for business jet and private aircraft in the GCC region.
Due to rapid growth during 2011, especially at the London Biggin Hill terminal, Rizon Jet is now confident of being fully ready for the anticipated increase of business brought in the run-up to this summer’s Olympic Games in London.
The company has started receiving advance booking requests from customers for the Olympic Games’ period.
The business aviation services firm has already acquired many international fixed-based operations licences to build and operate private terminals. Some of the main FBOs are in London and Qatar.
Rizon Jet said it will invest in the full services cycle of private aviation from ground support to catering and maintenance and other technical services complementary to the private aviation business.
The firm has secured approvals for the management and maintenance of a number of new aircraft models. Rizon Jet’s facility in Doha and Biggin Hill hold approvals from Qatar CAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to carry out maintenance on various business jet aircraft.
Rizon Jet also holds approvals from Aruba, Bermuda, and Cayman Islands for several aircraft types including the Bombardier Global series, Challenger Series, Hawker 125 XP series, as well as the Beech 390 Premier 1/1A and Cessna 560 Citation series.
Ghanim bin Saad al-Saad hands over the scale model of a Rizon Jet aircraft to al-Noaimi
The company also plans to secure approvals for the Airbus A319CJ aircraft in early 2013.
GSSG Holdings Group CEO Ibrahim Fakhroo said: “Aviation plays a key role in the development of global economy, and private aviation is no longer a luxury; it is considered now a requirement and complements the modern business environment.  Rizon Jet is an important member of GSSG and a key component of our comprehensive offering to the Qatari market.”
Captain Hassan al-Mousawi, Rizon Jet CEO said: “Rizon Jet offers flyers and private jets owners something unique and tailored to their individual needs and this can be seen across our service offering. We are extremely proud of this terminal and the facilities it extends to our clients and are pleased to have the opportunity to welcome you here.”
Bombardier Business Aircraft Regional Vice-President, Sales, Middle East, India & Africa Khader Mattar was among the dignitaries present.