Empire Aviation Group In Management Alliance with TDIC

Air Travel Service To Enhance Access To Sir Bani Yas Island Empire Aviation Group, a leading Arabian Gulf private jet operator, has entered into alliance with Tourism Development & Investment Company (TDIC), a master developer of major cultural, residential and tourism destinations in Abu Dhabi, to supply and operate Cessna 208 Grand Caravan planes between the UAE and major TDIC destinations in the emirate. The eight-seater single prop aircraft will primarily operate twice weekly every Thursday and Saturday from Abu Dhabi to Sir Bani Yas Island in the emirate`s Al Gharbia Western region. The service can also be chartered on demand as part of the accommodation package offered by Desert Islands Resort and Spa. Sir Bani Yas Island, which is 250 kilometres from the UAE capital, recently entered the tourism markets with the opening of the five-star, boutique Desert Islands Resort & Spa. Sir Bani Yas Island, a former Royal nature reserve and home to the Arabian Wildlife Park, is at the core of TDIC`s multi-experiential Desert Islands destination. “The service provides travellers with easy access to Sir Bani Yas Island and further empowers Al Gharbia`s emerging tourism potential,” said Lee Tabler, CEO, TDIC. “Sir Bani Yas Island is a relaxing leisure retreat and adventure resort but is also shaping up as an exciting incentives and meetings destination and we envisage healthy demand for the charter service from the MICE sector.” The charter service will operate from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Sir Bani Yas Airport and will land alongside the island’s main jetty terminal, close to a new visitor arrivals centre. Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) is managing and operating a new dedicated terminal, built by TDIC, on Sir Bani Yas Island. “This service, with an approximately flight time of 50 minutes, will provide Sir Bani Yas visitors with a seamless travel experience and will enable them to maximise their time on this remarkable island,” said Paras Dhamecha, co-founder and Chief Executive Operator, Empire Aviation. Under the ADAC/TDIC alliance the airport on Sir Bani Yas Island is being additionally upgraded to be a fully-certified airport capable of receiving domestic and short-haul international commercial flights. The full upgrade is due for completion by the end of 2010.