Business aviation rarely figures on the Paris scoreboard, but a flurry of aircraft commitments saw the sector get in on this year's orders bonanza.
Cessna led the way, announcing a $1 billion-plus order for 96 Citations from its largest customer NetJets. It includes 50 Encore+, 37 XLS+ and nine Citation X aircraft. The fractional operator and its European sister company already manage 304 Citations.
Saudi Arabian fractional ownership and charter operator National Air Services placed an order for four Dassault Falcon 2000LXs, plus 16 options, which, if confirmed, would see deliveries taking place from the third quarter of 2008 through to 2014.
Bombardier announced six more Learjet orders to UK-based block charter operator European Skytime, on top of two commitments earlier this month. They comprise three 45 XRs, three 40 XRs and two 60 XRs.
Piaggio's P180 Avanti won its first Middle Eastern order with newly established Jordanian charter operator Saraya Private Aviation due to take delivery of six of the twin-pusher aircraft in 2008/09.
Hawker Beechcraft appointed InterGlobe General Aviation as its exclusive sales agent and service provider in India and will deliver a Hawker 4000 to the company next year.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi's Falcon Aviation Services signed for a third Gulfstream G450, Royal Jordanian's business jet charter arm Arab Wings ordered an Embraer Phenom 300 light jet and Phenom 100 very light jet, and German charter outfit Cirrus Aviation is to take delivery of a third Embraer Legacy.
Source: Flight International