Our Legacy in Dubai Through the Eyes of Our Team
It is a year of celebration for the Dubai team as we mark our 20th anniversary in the United Arab Emirates.
Jet Aviation first established maintenance and FBO facilities at Dubai International Airport (DXB) in 2005. In 2017, we opened a second FBO at Dubai World Central (DWC), expanding our presence in the city. In 2018, Jet Aviation integrated rotary expertise into our portfolio with the acquisition of Jet Aviation Airservices and RBIH. These teams joined the Jet Aviation family and brought along a legacy of excellence dating back to the 1970s.
We spoke with some of the teams’ first employees, who are still with the company today. Chrisann Duarte, Administration Manager & Regional Compliance Officer, worked for a customer before making the move to Jet Aviation Dubai in 2005, the same year that Jansen Machado, Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor, joined, and Cherie Colaco, Logistics Supervisor, became part of RBIH. Some 20 years ago, Glauco Silva, Aircraft Sales Director, also joined our rotary team at Jet Aviation Airservices, while Fereshteh Zarnegar, Supervisor Billing, took her very first steps into the industry at Jet Aviation.
Above: Fereshteh Zarnegar (second left), Jansen Machado (center), and Chrisann Duarte (second right), with Oliyantakath Mammi Moidu (left), and Amir Khan (right), some of the first employees of Jet Aviation Dubai
On our journey
in Dubai
“Jet Aviation Dubai started with a handful of people committed to serving our local customers. The journey has been one of continuous change where I was challenged to improvise and adapt for the better.”
Chrisann Duarte, Administration Manager & Regional Compliance Officer, Jet Aviation Dubai
“20 years ago, I had just left my first job in aviation, as ground staff for an airline, and was working in MRO for business jets and helicopters. Little did I know, in one year my life would turn 180-degrees and I would be on the other side of the world.”
Glauco Silva, Aircraft Sales Director, Jet Aviation Airservices
“I was fortunate to get my start with a company that believed in investing in young talent. Jet Aviation gave me the platform to apply my technical foundation in a real-world MRO environment, setting the tone for everything that followed in my professional journey.”
Jansen Machado, Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor, Jet Aviation Dubai
“Jet Aviation offered me opportunities and professional growth. It is not always common to start out at the front desk and later take on a supervisory role.”
Fereshteh Zarnegar, Supervisor Billing, Jet Aviation Dubai
“The scale has grown significantly, and so has the responsibility, but the core goal of ensuring smooth operations remains the same.”
Cherie Colaco, Logistics Supervisor, RBIH
Enabling global flight, with passion
“It is great to see how the passion and excitement from leadership is passed down. If I look to my left and right, I see quite a number of people that have been on this journey for as long as I have, and are still developing professionally.”
Glauco Silva, Aircraft Sales Director, Jet Aviation Airservices
“The hangar is one of the best classrooms you’ll ever have. Ask questions, learn from experienced colleagues, and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty.”
Jansen Machado, Aircraft Maintenance Supervisor, Jet Aviation Dubai
“Knowing that our work supports critical aviation functions — especially in rotor blade excellence — is incredibly rewarding.”
Cherie Colaco, Logistics Supervisor, RBIH
“I enjoy the dynamic nature of our work; no two days are exactly the same. Even after 20 years, I still find opportunities to learn something new.”
Fereshteh Zarnegar, Supervisor Billing, Jet Aviation Dubai
“I feel pride in a team that has established a unique customer and service excellence and is considered an important spoke in our global network.”
Chrisann Duarte, Administration Manager & Regional Compliance Officer, Jet Aviation Dubai
A special thank you to our interviewees, and congratulations on their own 20-year milestones! And thank you to the entire team in Dubai for their hard work and commitment. We look forward to the future, together!