MC Aviation, based in Istanbul in Turkey, is in the process of applying for an AOC and already manages two business jets, a Global Express and a Challenger 604, which currently operate under the AOC of Turkmen Air. The Global Express is used solely by the owner and is not available for charter, while the Challenger can be chartered for 75 hours during peak season.

"We have sent in all of the documents for our AOC application, and we are awaiting the date of an audit from the CAA," says operations manager Caglayan Yilmaz. "Once the audit is complete, we will nearly be ready. At the moment we operate Bombardier, but we will be flying other types too, from Dassault, Embraer and Cessna.

"The market in Turkey is looking good at the moment. In terms of maintenance, we plan to service Turkish aircraft and some from the Middle East. We are also constructing a hangar that will be available for maintenance and aircraft storage space. We are also thinking about having a restaurant there and rest rooms for the flight crew."

MC Aviation is already authorised for maintenance on Global Express and Challenger 604/605, and Yilmaz says that the company intends to grow rapidly and to induct up to 10 aircraft onto its AOC in the medium term. "We are hoping to grow the business to include more than 200 staff; that is the aim," he concludes.