Dubai\'s Empire Aviation eyes deal to double size

Dubai\'s Empire Aviation is set to sign a major joint venture deal which will double the size of the company, it was reported on Friday. The Dubai-based business aircraft management group could finalise the agreement - thought to be with an Indian operator or charter company - at the Dubai Airshow which kicks off on Sunday, Aviation International News (AIN) reported According to executive director Steve Hartley the deal will “double the size of the company\" and comes after Empire opened a new office at Mumbai, India. AIN said the Indian venture will be set up along the lines of the existing Dubai operation, in which Empire Aviation provides sales, management and charter services. It added that the company manages one of the largest fleets of corporate and private jets in the Middle East and has posted strong growth since its formation three years ago. “We began with just six aircraft and we grew by 150 percent in the first year,” AIN quoted Hartley as saying. “We’re going through a bit of a testing time this year, but we expect to be back at 2008 levels by this time in 2012.” Hartley said talks with other potential joint venture partners are under way.