Al Sakhir: Mahmood Rafique, Editor: Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announced signing of a MoU with Texel Air, an established cargo airline and MRO based in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The MoU will pave the way for a strategic alliance aimed at developing the Middle East and international aviation opportunities.
Texel Air, an established cargo airline and MRO based in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has recently expanded its fleet with the addition of a second 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) with a third aircraft entering conversion this December and a further two aircraft planned to enter service in 2023. The fleet serves a diverse customer base across the Middle East, Turkey, East Africa and global markets specialising in ACMI contracts.
SNC, a privately owned global aerospace and defence contracting company, employs 5,000 personnel and is recognised among USA’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Space and is a Tier One supplier to the US Government and other
customers worldwide.
According to the MoU and the details agreement both parties would set up a Special Purpose Vehicle to secure financing for Texel’s fleet and facilities expansion in Bahrain, with special provision to grow the Texel brand and AOCs into other identified areas of interest.
Fatih Ozmen, CEO of SNC, applauded Texel’s growth strategy noting that the 737-800BCF is experiencing high demand in the global air cargo market. He welcomed the opportunity for SNC to continue its expansion into commercial aviation with Texel Air to develop new destinations across the Middle East and other global markets in the already vibrant ACMI business by deploying its BCF fleet and developing supporting infrastructure in Bahrain.
He noted that Chisholm Enterprises, Texel’s parent company, and SNC are in fact expanding a long association to further develop mutually advantageous opportunities in the ACMI, MRO and finance areas, leveraging the Kingdom of Bahrain’s strategic location and the Government’s business-friendly environment.
“We are pleased to see Bahrain as a launch pad for yet another aviation initiative, the first of its kind in Bahrain. I am proud to see the strides that Texel Air has been taking, and thank the Government of Bahrain, the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunication’s Civil Aviation Affairs and Bahrain Airport Company for their continued support in providing us with an ecosystem and infrastructure that supports our business development and enables our growth. I look forward to further supporting private sector aviation companies’ expansion and innovation,” John Chisholm, Chairman Texel Air, said.
“Appreciation also goes to our employees for their dedication and support that enables our company to continue growing during recent challenging times,” George Chisholm, director of Texel Air, said. He noted the extensive expertise and experience that SNC was bringing to the Chisholm group, expressing excitement about the new opportunities the companies had identified and agreed to investigate.
