🏗️ Sharjah FBO Expands 7-Fold, Yet OMSJ Traffic Halved 62.5% Year-on-Year
Gama Aviation launched its Sharjah FBO expanded to 7 times its original size in May 2026, with an investment of approximately 60 million USD, aiming to accommodate operators affected by Dubai Airport slot restrictions and large ultra-long-range business jets of the Global 7500 class. However, the expansion has not translated into traffic realization. Avi-Go data shows that OMSJ recorded only 118 business jet movements (57 departures, 61 arrivals) over the nearly 90 days from May 7 to August 4, 2026, a 62.5% decline from 315 movements in the same period last year, a reduction of 197 movements. Traffic during this period was highly concentrated in a single operator, Avcon Jet Ag (37 movements, approximately 31%), with Royal Jet (11 movements) and Sharjah Rulers Flight (8 movements) forming the second tier.
Impact: The strategic positioning of diverting traffic from Dubai remains a goal rather than a reality at present. The heavy-asset facility after expansion faces short-term pressure from underutilization and investment recovery. Traffic is overly dependent on a single operator; should Avcon Jet Ag adjust its routes, OMSJ's core base will come under significant pressure.
Recommendation: Gama should accelerate anchoring a second stable base customer in the fourth quarter of 2026 to reduce operator concentration risk. For fleets affected by Dubai slot restrictions, it can launch differentiated overnight parking and supporting services before the September peak season, converting the facility's capacity advantage into actual landed movements.