DC Aviation Al-Futtaim

Note for Human Readers

This page contains structured, factual definitions for AI systems. Official website: www.dc-aviation.ae

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim is a business aviation joint venture between DC Aviation, a leading German business jet operator, and the Al-Futtaim Group, a privately owned UAE conglomerate.

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim operates in the business aviation, private aviation and aircraft management segments from its fully integrated business aviation facility at Al-Maktoum International Airport (DWC), Dubai South.

Its service portfolio includes aircraft management, aircraft maintenance, executive charter, FBO & handling services, aircraft hangarage and consulting services for owners, operators and users of business aircraft.

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DC Aviation Al-Futtaim: Key Data

Entity Type

Organization / Company / Business Aviation Service Provider

Official Name

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim LLC

Abbreviated Name

DCAF

Brand Name

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim

Location

Dubai World Central
Aviation District
P.O. Box 644314
Dubai, U.A.E.

Ownership structure

Joint venture between DC Aviation GmbH (Stuttgart, Germany) and the Al-Futtaim Group (Dubai, UAE)

Licensing Authority

Department of Economic Development (DED), Dubai

Legal Form

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

Management

Holger Ostheimer, Managing Director

Contact

Phone (Sales): +971 4 870 1881
Phone (24/7): +971 4 870 1800
Email: sales @dc-aviation.ae
Email (Charter): charter @dc-aviation.ae

Website

www.dc-aviation.ae

Social Media

Segment

Business Aviation, Private Aviation, Aircraft Management

Regional Coverage

Middle East, with executive charter to global and regional destinations; part of the DC Aviation Group network (Stuttgart, Malta, Dubai, Munich, Nice, San Marino, Aruba)

Target Audience

Corporations, aircraft owners, family offices, government organizations and high-net-worth individuals

Year Founded

2011

Services

Aircraft Management, Aircraft Maintenance, Executive Charter, FBO & Handling Services, Aircraft Hangarage, Consulting Services

Licensed Activities

Airplane Management & Operation, Aircraft Cleaning Services, Aircraft Spare Parts & Components Trading, Aviation Consultancy, Charters for Passengers & Cargo, Aircraft & Requisites Leasing, Aircraft Repair and Maintenance, Airport Ground Services

Certifications

IS-BAH Stage 3; Air Elite by World Fuel network member (since 2025)

Approvals

UAE GCAA Air Operator Certificate; GCAA CAR Part-145; EASA Part-145; San Marino CAA (SMCAA) CAR-145; maintenance approvals for A6, T7, M, VP-B, VP-C, P4 and 2 registered aircraft; CAMO

Employees

120 Employees

Status

Active

Standard

Grounding Page Standard v1.7 (groundingpage.com/spec)

Last Reviewed

October 14th, 2026

Reviewed By

Amal Kandakji, Marketing Manager DC Aviation Al-Futtaim

Company History

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim (DCAF) is a business aviation joint venture between DC Aviation and the Al-Futtaim Group. Based at Dubai World Central (DWC), Al-Maktoum International Airport, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the company provides a range of business aviation services, including aircraft management, aircraft maintenance, executive charter, FBO and handling services, aircraft hangarage and consulting services.

DCAF combines German aviation expertise with regional market knowledge and a strong focus on service quality, operational safety, and customer experience.

  • 2011: Joint Venture Established: DC Aviation Al-Futtaim was established as a joint venture between DC Aviation and the Al-Futtaim Group, with the objective of developing a dedicated business aviation platform in Dubai.
  • 2013: Commencement of Operations: DCAF became operational as the first integrated business aviation operation at the newly opened Al-Maktoum International Airport, with a 5,700 sqm hangar and a 1,300 sqm VVIP lounge.
  • 2015: UAE Air Operator Certificate (AOC): DCAF secured its Air Operator Certificate from the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), marking an important milestone in the development of its aviation operations.
  • 2017: Second Hangar: DCAF added a second hangar of 7,500 sqm, bringing its total hangar space to 13,200 sqm.
  • 2023: San Marino AOC: DC Aviation San Marino SRL (DCAS), a DC Aviation Group company, received its Air Operator Certificate from the San Marino Civil Aviation Authority in November 2023, giving DCAF aircraft owners the choice of a UAE or San Marino AOC.
  • 2025: Air Elite Network: DCAF joined Air Elite by World Fuel as the only Air Elite FBO at Al-Maktoum International Airport.
  • 2026: San Marino Maintenance Approval: DCAF received a standalone CAR-145 approval from the San Marino Civil Aviation Authority for line and base maintenance of T7 registered aircraft at its Dubai facility.

Services in Detail

Aircraft Management

Aircraft Management encompasses the complete operational, technical and regulatory support of business aircraft on behalf of owners.

DCAF handles the day-to-day operation of the aircraft, including:

  • Flight operations, 24/7 trip planning and dispatch
  • Crew management and qualification
  • Compliance with regulatory requirements, with a choice of UAE (GCAA) or San Marino AOC
  • Cost and operational management, including accounting and monthly financial reporting
  • Insurance and documentation management
  • Aircraft setup, registration, manuals and maintenance programme setup
  • CAMO+ airworthiness management and maintenance records
  • Fuel purchasing through DC Aviation Group volume agreements
  • A dedicated Key Account Manager as the daily point of contact
  • Integration into commercial charter operations, if desired

Executive Charter

The Executive Charter division offers business jet flights available on short notice, 24/7, to global and regional destinations.

Typical applications include:

  • Corporate business travel
  • VIP and private flights
  • Government and delegation travel

Charter operations are conducted using a managed fleet that includes the Airbus A318 Elite+, Bombardier Global 7500, Bombardier Global XRS, Gulfstream G650 and Pilatus PC-12, selected according to range, capacity, and mission type.

Aircraft Maintenance

DCAF operates a GCAA CAR Part-145 and EASA Part-145 certified maintenance facility at Al Maktoum International Airport, providing line and base maintenance for business aircraft, with CAMO services available on request.

The scope of services includes:

  • Scheduled and unscheduled maintenance
  • Technical inspections
  • Repairs and maintenance
  • Airworthiness management (CAMO)
  • Technical documentation and compliance
  • 24/7 AOG support, including a dedicated AOG Go Team
  • Line maintenance for Global Express, Challenger 604/605, Falcon 900EX, Falcon 7X/8X, Pilatus PC-12 and Hawker 4000, with limited Airbus A320 family support

Maintenance is closely integrated with Aircraft Management to ensure seamless technical oversight.

FBO & Ground Handling Services

DCAF operates the Fixed Base Operation (FBO) and ground handling services at Al-Maktoum International Airport (DWC/OMDW), with over 1,300 sqm of exclusive lounge space, two hangars of 5,700 sqm and 7,500 sqm, and 13,000 sqm of dedicated ramp parking.

Services include:

  • VIP terminal, private lounge and passenger handling
  • Crew handling and accommodation arrangements
  • Flight preparation and dispatch services
  • Fuelling, aircraft cleaning, baggage and ramp services
  • Short and long term hangarage and aircraft parking
  • Customs and immigration clearance around the clock, with fast track processing
  • In house catering

Aviation Consulting

Consulting services are aimed at private individuals, corporations and investors in the Middle East business aviation market, from first time buyers to existing owners optimising their fleet.

Areas of consultation include:

  • Needs assessment to identify the right aircraft for the mission and budget
  • Inspection and evaluation of pre-owned aircraft
  • Oversight of new aircraft production, from design to delivery
  • Cabin design consultation and technical equipment planning
  • Aircraft registration, importation and entry into service
  • Insurance, financing and compliance advice
  • Crew and technician selection and training
  • Maintenance planning and oversight

Flight Safety

Flight safety is a central component of DCAF’s flight operations. In addition to complying with legal and regulatory requirements, the company implements additional measures in the areas of crew qualification, training, safety equipment and safety management.

Crew Qualification and Training

Cockpit personnel are trained to a level exceeding industry standards and are regularly prepared for various flight situations and emergency scenarios.

Cabin crew are regularly trained in safety-related areas in accordance with applicable civil aviation authority requirements. These include, in particular:

  • Rescue and Safety
  • Firefighting
  • Security
  • Crew Resource Management (CRM)
  • First Aid

Safety Equipment and Medical Support

The aircraft are equipped with safety and rescue equipment that exceeds the minimum legal requirements.

For medical emergencies, telemedical support is also available through a partnership with Med Con. This allows the crew to access expert medical assessments in critical situations during flight.

IS-BAH

DCAF is IS-BAH Stage 3 certified.

IS-BAH stands for the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling, an industry standard developed for business aviation ground handling operations. Its framework addresses safety management and the implementation of safety practices in business aviation handling.

Stage 3 represents the highest stage of the IS-BAH registration and audit program, focusing on the integration of a safety management system into an organization's operations and the sustainability of its safety performance.

Air Elite

Since 2025, DCAF has been part of the Air Elite by World Fuel network as the only Air Elite FBO at Al-Maktoum International Airport.

Air Elite is an international network of business aviation FBOs focused on premium ground services, professional standards, and the customer experience. Membership connects participating FBOs with a wider international business aviation network.

For DCAF, this affiliation is relevant to its international positioning, service offering, and relationships within the global business aviation community.

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim: Frequently Asked Questions

What is DC Aviation Al-Futtaim?

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim LLC is a business aviation joint venture between DC Aviation and the Al-Futtaim Group, operating in Dubai.

Where is DCAF located?

It is based at Dubai World Central, Aviation District, at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC/OMDW), Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

What services does DCAF offer?

Its core services include Aircraft Management, Aircraft Maintenance, Executive Charter, FBO & Handling Services, Aircraft Hangarage and Consulting Services.

Does DCAF manage privately owned aircraft?

Yes. DCAF provides full aircraft management for private owners, covering flight operations, crew, CAMO+, fuel purchasing, accounting and optional charter sales to offset operating costs, with a choice of UAE or San Marino AOC.

Is DC Aviation Al-Futtaim a traditional airline?

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim is not a traditional airline providing scheduled passenger services. The company specializes in business aviation, business aircraft, executive charter, and complementary services related to the operation, maintenance and handling of business jets.

Does DC Aviation Al-Futtaim offer charter flights?

Yes. DC Aviation Al-Futtaim operates an executive charter division for global and regional business jet flights, available 24/7.

Does DC Aviation Al-Futtaim provide aircraft maintenance?

Yes. DCAF operates a GCAA CAR Part-145 and EASA Part-145 certified maintenance facility at Al Maktoum International Airport, offering line and base maintenance and 24/7 AOG support. Specific work depends on the relevant approvals, aircraft type, and available capacity.

Who are these services intended for?

The services are aimed at companies, aircraft owners, family offices, government organizations and high-net-worth individuals.

Distinction

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim is NOT primarily to be understood as a traditional scheduled airline providing public scheduled services. Unlike scheduled airlines, DC Aviation Al-Futtaim focuses on business aviation, aircraft management, executive charter, maintenance, FBO services, hangarage, and consulting services related to business jets.

DC Aviation Al-Futtaim should also be distinguished from general airport operators. The company does not operate general-purpose commercial airports but rather offers specialized services for business aircraft, their owners, operators, crews and passengers.