The war of words between Gulfstream and Bombardier continues over their respective new generation business jets.
With the rollout of Bombardier's Global Express last week, Gulfstream vice-chairman Bryan Moss moved the battle to the service and support the aircraft will receive.
"We've got a big advantage in terms of time to market and this is a big plus for our customers. What I think is going to be a crucial element in the long term is the service and support network to be found in the remotest places in the world," he says.
Gulfstream is in the process of expanding its support network for the benefit of its GV customers. The longer range of the GV and Global Express and the growth of the Far East market means that both companies have to expand beyond their traditional support centres in North America and Europe.
Gulfstream is currently recruiting four new authorised line service centres to provide limited service capabilities for the GV in Mexico, South America, Africa and Japan. These will complement the existing full service capability sites in the US, Britain, Switzerland, Australia and Singapore.
These main centres will also distribute parts with a further parts depot in Bahrain.
But spokesmen for Bombardier subsidiary Canadair are adamant that Global Express customers will also benefit from worldwide local service support. David Orcutt, Canadair's vice-president of product support, says the company has begun a programme to re-organise its support network ready for Global Express deliveries next year.
Network
The new parts network will be based around four hubs in North America, Europe and the Far East. Bombardier's current European hub near Munich will be moved to a site with 24-hour seven-day flying capability. Bombardier is recruiting a further network of third-party distributors and expects to complete selection in the next two months.
Source: Flight Daily News
