NetJets Europe is poised to take delivery of its first Bombardier Challenger 350.
The super-midsize business jet – registration CS-CHA – was pictured in Glasgow on 25 April during its ferry flight from Bombardier’s Montreal completion facility to the fractional ownership company’s headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal.
The aircraft will make its public debut with NetJets at the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition in Geneva, Switzerland on 19-21 May.
Another four of the twin-engined type are bound for NetJets Europe this year. The company’s 2015 aircraft delivery schedule also includes six Embraer Phenom 300s and two Bombardier Global 6000s.
Iain Mackenzie
NetJets’ parent company placed an order for up to 75 Challenger 350s in 2012,as part of a $7.3 billion order for up to 275 Challenger-series aircraft.
The Berkshire Hathaway-owned firm also has multi-billion dollar orders for Phenom 300s – its entry-level product – and the Global 5000/6000, which sit at the top of its product offering. The new aircraft are part of a “top-to-tail” overhaul of NetJets’ 500-plus aircraft fleet, and should all be incorporated into the operator’s global inventory over the next 10 years.NetJets’ older types are gradually being phased out.
Meanwhile, NetJets’ US operation took delivery of its tenth Challenger 350 on 26 April, bringing its total fleet of Signature Series business jets to 68 – including 40 Phenom 300s and 18 Global 5000/6000s.
NetJets is also launch customer for the Challenger 650 – a revamped Challenger 605 featuring an avionics, propulsion and interior upgrade – and is gearing up to take the first of the large-cabin business jets in the fourth quarter.
Source: Flight International
