As the business aviation sector in the Middle East continues to experience unprecedented growth, attention is turning to alternative gateways that can offer greater efficiency, flexibility, and operational performance. In the United Arab Emirates, one such location is rapidly emerging as a serious contender. Sharjah – once overlooked by some in favour of larger, more congested airports – is undergoing a quiet transformation. At the heart of this shift is Gama Aviation, whose investment in a new Business Aviation Centre (BAC) signals a bold new chapter for the emirate and the region’s private aviation landscape.

 

The Original UAE Airport and an Original Business Jet Operator

The Emirate of Sharjah plays a significant role in the UAE’s aviation history, dating back almost a century. The historic Al Mahatta Airport was the first-ever airport in the Gulf region, and on 5 October 1932, a British Imperial Airways plane nicknamed ‘Hanno’ made the first-ever landing on Sharjah’s runway. Over the decades, the airport became known as a vital refuelling hub, especially for flights between the UK and India. After being succeeded by Sharjah International Airport in 1977, Al Mahatta was transformed into an aviation museum, serving as a testament to Sharjah’s unique place in the region’s aeronautical heritage.

Gama Aviation has a significant history, founded more than 42 years ago by Marwan Khalek (Chief Executive Officer) and Steve Wright (Chief Compliance Officer), who established the business in the United Kingdom with a single Beech Baron aircraft.
Today, Gama Aviation is at the forefront of driving Sharjah’s legacy in the field of business aviation. We believe that our investment and vision are not only reshaping Sharjah’s aviation landscape but also positioning it as a rising star in the global business aviation ecosystem.

Strategically located at the crossroads of East and West, the UAE connects Europe, Asia, and Africa. Its central position places it within an eight-hour flight for two-thirds – or more than 5.4 billion – of the global population. This has made the UAE’s airspace one of the busiest in the world – and it’s only getting busier. Growing economic diversification and executive travel in the Middle East has led to increased demand for private and business aviation. Major aviation hubs, such as Dubai, are experiencing congestion-related challenges, resulting in slot restrictions. Amid this, Sharjah is emerging as a strategic alternative, offering efficiency, exclusivity, and innovation.

 

Gama Aviation and Sharjah’s strategic partnership

In 2012, Gama Aviation was awarded the VIP handling concession at Sharjah International Airport. Two years later, we opened the first Fixed Base Operation (FBO) facility at the airport. Since then, Sharjah International Airport has become increasingly popular as a business jet hub due to its ease of use. This has led to both business jet operators and passengers recognising Sharjah as a high-quality and ultra-efficient alternative to Dubai for private aviation.
Just over a decade after we opened our Sharjah FBO, we have seen record passenger numbers, thanks to several key advantages:

• Excellent location – Sharjah International Airport is just a 30-minute drive from downtown Dubai. It also serves as the gateway to the Northern Emirates, which is seeing increasing business and tourism activity.
• No slot restrictions – Guests can arrive and depart at their own convenience, avoiding extended waiting times and delays.
• High-performance culture – As an established business aviation company founded 42 years ago, it is within our DNA to deliver client-focused procedures that benefit both crew and passengers.
• Optimal operations – Due to the layout of Sharjah International Airport, passengers are transported between runway and landside within minutes, with minimal taxiing or holding times.

Leadership behind the vision

Much of Gama Aviation’s progress in Sharjah has been shaped by the leadership of Tom Murphy, who has been with the company since 2018 and now serves as Managing Director of FBO Services. Tom played an instrumental role in establishing the original FBO facility at Sharjah and has been closely involved in every phase of its development since.

“Sharjah has always been an important strategic focus for us, and I’m incredibly proud to have been part of its journey from the early days,” says Tom Murphy. “This new Business Aviation Centre is the result of years of planning and refinement, combining our operational expertise with the opportunity to build something from the ground up. It’s not just about size or scale – it’s about creating a facility that delivers the best experience possible for clients, crew and aircraft. The end result will be an ultra-efficient FBO operation in a luxury facility – a rarity to find at an International Airport ”

 

Our vision for the future

Sharjah is the birthplace of aviation in the UAE, and we aim to be a major contributor to its next chapter. In response to growing demand for business aviation in the region, and as part of our global expansion strategy, we are building a Business Aviation Centre (BAC) at Sharjah International Airport, set to open later in 2025.

Our BAC spans a land area of over 80,000 square metres and is being built from the ground up – unlike most FBOs that retrofit existing airport facilities. It will include a 3,000 sqm two-storey VVIP terminal, a 12,000 sqm hangar, parking apron and maintenance facilities, all for the exclusive use of our guests and crew. While this allows us to create a luxury facility, our primary focus remains on achieving operational excellence and delivering the most efficient FBO in the UAE.

The BAC’s location allows for exceptionally quick access to the runway, reducing taxi time to just 90 seconds, and will offer dedicated fuelling and entirely in-house ground service equipment. Immigration and Customs authorities will also be located on site 24/7.

Through this development, we are setting new standards in business aviation excellence, delivering bespoke, high-end experiences for guests at every stage of their journey. This includes six private lounge spaces for passengers, as well as dedicated crew lounges and rest facilities, all of which are easily accessible to and from the aircraft.

Gama Aviation’s investments in Sharjah exemplify how forward-thinking companies can unlock value and gain a competitive advantage by reimagining underutilised assets. This also highlights a broader industry trend: the decentralisation of business aviation from mega-hubs to more agile, well-equipped alternatives. Sharjah’s strategic location, combined with streamlined operations and bespoke services, makes it a compelling choice for discerning travellers and operators alike.

As one of the industry’s original operators, Gama Aviation’s heritage complements that of Sharjah, from refuelling stop to modern gateway. We are proud to be shaping its future. As the industry evolves, Sharjah is poised to play a pivotal role in the next era of executive travel, offering efficiency, exclusivity, and heritage that few destinations can match.

For those seeking to understand how the Sharjah BAC can support their aircraft operations or client experience needs, we invite you to connect directly with Tom Murphy, Managing Director of FBO Services, or Engin Basyurt, Head of Business Development. Whether you’re an owner, operator, or charter provider, our team will be happy to discuss the tailored services and advantages that Sharjah can offer to meet your business aviation requirements.