Damac Group Unveils Plans for Luxury Airline Damac Air

In November 2024 the UAE real estate company Damac Group announced plans for a luxury leisure airline called Damac Air, aimed at wealthy travellers heading to destinations such as Bali, the Seychelles and Tahiti. At the time of the announcement, Damac gave no launch date, and it did not say whether it would own or charter the aircraft. This page sets out what was announced, what remains unconfirmed and how to judge announcements like this.

What Damac announced

Damac said Damac Air would fly from the UAE to Denpasar in Bali, Mahé in the Seychelles and Papeete in Tahiti. The plan is to sell holiday packages that combine flights, premium accommodation and curated local excursions. Damac compared the idea to businesses such as Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal AirCruises, which sell luxury journeys built around private or premium flying.

Promotional images showed a Boeing 787-8 in Damac Air colours. ch-aviation reported that the images appeared to be computer-generated and that Damac gave no details on aircraft type, ownership or launch timing.

About Damac Group

Damac was founded by Hussain Sajwani and is best known for real estate across the Gulf, the wider Middle East, the United States and the UK, with residential, commercial and leisure projects. It is a first-time entrant to aviation, which is why the practical questions below matter.

What an airline needs before it can fly

• An Air Operator Certificate (AOC): the regulator's approval that an operator can carry passengers. In the UAE this comes from the General Civil Aviation Authority.
• Aircraft: bought, leased, or chartered with crew from an existing operator (a wet lease).
• Crew and maintenance: licensed pilots and cabin crew, plus a maintenance arrangement approved by the regulator.
• Operating rights: permission to fly into each destination country under air service agreements.
• Insurance and safety systems: including aviation insurance and a safety management system.

Starting a new airline normally takes a year or more. Many luxury projects instead partner with an established charter operator that already holds an AOC. If you want to see who offers this today, browse charter operators and aircraft management companies.

How to read announcements like this

Some reports noted that Damac had not applied for an AOC or formed an airline at the time, and that the project might be part of a marketing effort for a real estate development. We cannot say which. A fair reading is that Damac Air was a plan, not an operating airline, when announced. Look for these signs that a project is real: a named accountable executive, a regulator-issued AOC, an aircraft with a registration, and published schedules or sales.

Why the idea has a market

High-net-worth leisure travel is growing, and travellers who can already fly private are used to controlling time and comfort. A 787-8 configured with a small number of premium seats could fly long routes non-stop. Whether a real-estate developer can run an airline profitably is another matter, and is what to watch.

Existing models for luxury air travel

Luxury leisure flying already exists in several forms. Tour operators sell itineraries on chartered private aircraft, with the aircraft supplied by an established operator. Some operators offer first-class-only or business-class-only services on long routes, and private jet owners can use empty leg flights or jet cards. A new airline would compete with these on price, comfort and the destinations it offers. The advantage Damac could bring is its property portfolio, because it can bundle flights with its own resorts and residences if it chooses to.

Questions to ask

• Who will hold the Air Operator Certificate, and which authority issued it?
• Will the aircraft be owned, leased or chartered with crew?
• What seat configuration and fares are planned?
• When will tickets or packages go on sale?

Frequently asked questions

Is Damac Air flying?

We have not found confirmation of an operating Damac Air. Check Damac's official channels for the latest.

What destinations were announced?

Bali (Denpasar), the Seychelles (Mahé) and Tahiti (Papeete).

Which aircraft would it use?

Promotional material showed a Boeing 787-8, but Damac did not confirm aircraft type or whether it would own or charter it.