The new office will comprise full time sales and marketing personnel. The announcement follows the opening of the company’s first representation in the US (Miami) in January 2009 and is part of the expansion programme which will see new offices established in India and a strong growing presence across Africa and the Middle East, by the end of 2009.

Mohammad Saideh, Executive Vice President & CMO, explains the move, ’Our expansion into the CIS region is a natural evolution for our business, which is growing strongly in this area, especially for flight support for traffic inbound to the Middle East, Africa, the CIS and beyond. Palm Aviation continues to grow strongly and our plan is to maintain growth at 35% per annum for the next 5 years.’

’Taking our business closer to the customers we serve will support the achievement of this objective and also enhance the level of service we can offer. It’s part of our expansion strategy to reach out to our markets and customers and we will continue this process through 2009 with multi offices in the Middle East, an office in India and a growing presence in key airports across Africa,’ he added.

Palm Aviation is targeting those operators flying in destinations including Europe, the CIS, the Middle East, Africa, and as far as the Far East. Whilst global market conditions remain tough, organisations in the CIS are looking for attractive business opportunities around the world and continue to look to the Middle East region.

The CIS comprises 12 states of the former Soviet Union and represents a rapidly developing economy of almost 300 million people.

Palm Aviation has set itself the goal of achieving 35% revenue growth per annum by extending its services to air traffic inbound to the Middle East and Africa originating from Europe, the CIS countries and the US. In 2008, the company grew revenues by 300% compared to 2007.