Qatar Executive, the private aircraft charter division of Qatar Airways, has taken delivery of its fourth Gulfstream G650ER, becoming the largest owner-operator of the ultra-long-range business jet in the world. Two more examples are scheduled for delivery to the Doha-headquartered company – one later this year and the other in 2019.
Gulfstream president Mark Burns says Qatar became the first operator in the Middle East to offer the G650ER for commercial services, on the delivery of its first aircraft in 2015.
Qatar Executive
The company is also the international launch customer for Gulfstream’s in-development G500 business jet, which is scheduled to gain US type certification in the first quarter of 2018. Qatar placed an order in 2014 for up to 30 super-large-cabin G500s and G600s – its larger, longer-range sister is on track to secure US validation at the end of this year.
Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker says the fleet of G650ERs will help to meet the growing demand from its customers for “longer-range private air travel”.
Gulfstream’s Mach 0.925 flagship is positioned at the top of the traditional business jet market. With a range of 7,500nm (13,900km), the aircraft can fly nonstop from Doha to Cape Town, New York and Tokyo, says Qatar.
The operator boasts a total fleet of 12 high-end business jets. This line-up also includes four Bombardier Global 5000s, three Challenger 605s and a Global 6000.
Source: Flight International
