Qatar Executive to purchase 30 Gulfstream jets

Akbar Al Baker, right, joins Gulfstream president Larry Flynn, announcing the Qatar Executive purchase

Qatar Executive, the Qatar Airways’ business jet division, has announced it has agreed to purchase up to 30 aircraft from Gulfstream Aerospace Corp as part of a memorandum of understanding originally announced in October of last year.

The original sale called for Qatar Executive to purchase up to 20 Gulfstream aircraft, including the all-new Gulfstream G500.

The recently signed final agreement increases the purchase to 30 firm orders and options that are a combination of both of Gulfstream’s new clean-sheet, wide-cabin aircraft, the G500 and G600, and the flagship G650ER.

Qatar Executive will begin inducting the new aircraft into its private jet fleet from the end of this year.

Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: “Qatar Executive continues to expand its operations, and the incoming addition of these new aircraft will enable us to widen the range of services available to our clients seeking bespoke and tailored travel services.”

From its start in 2009, Qatar Executive has rapidly risen to become a leader in air charter services for individuals, families, businesses, corporations and governments.

As part of Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, Qatar Executive’s clients are assured an excellent charter experience.

The G500 and G600’s all-new design optimises speed, wide-cabin comfort and efficiency, and features new industry-leading safety technologies.

The first flight of the G500 occurred on May 18th, 2015.

Gulfstream projects it will receive type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration and European Aviation Safety Agency in 2017.

The G600 flight-test program is expected to begin approximately 12 to 18 months after the G500’s, and entry-into-service is projected to be in 2019.