Saudis own 300 private jets worth SR 20 bn 

(MENAFN - Arab News) Businessmen in the Kingdom own 300 private jet planes at an estimated cost of SR 20 billion, an expert in the aircraft industry said.

The growth rate of the aircraft market in the Kingdom is estimated at between 20 and 25 percent, according to a statement made by the Khaled Juffali Company published Monday on the occasion of its subsidiary, AirPros, being appointed authorized sales representative for Embraer Executive Jets in the Kingdom.

"With its parent company, Khaled Juffali Group, having a strong business and financial presence in Saudi Arabia, this makes AirPros a perfect choice as a strategic partner," said Colin Steven, Vice President Sales, Europe, Middle-East & Africa, Embraer Executive Jets.

"The Kingdom is a very specialized market, which offers great potential for the entire range of our corporate jet family that includes seven different models ranging from the entry-level Phenom 100 through to the ultra-large Lineage 1000 corporate jet," Steven said.

AirPros benefits from the vast experience of the Juffali family which represents market-leading brands in the auto and yacht industries and already has an established business in the aviation industry with joint ventures partnerships with industry leaders.

"This partnership is an important milestone for AirPros," said Sheikh Khaled A. Juffali, Chairman of the Khaled Juffali Group. "We are proud to add Embraer Executive Jets to a list of prestigious products and companies we support in the region and very much look forward to expanding the Embraer Executive Jet family in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."

The formation of this partnership coincides with the visit of Embraer Executive Jets' top-of-the-range aircraft, the Lineage 1000.