Diamond Aircraft has secured its first sale of the D-Jet and DA42 Twin Star to a US air carrier, with on-demand operator Point2Point Airways placing an order for "up to 100 aircraft". The Bismark, North Dakota-based air-taxi operator will receive 10 DA42s between now and January, with the agreement covering deliveries to the end of 2008.
Point2Point, which now operates Cirrus SR22 piston singles, also holds delivery options on the $1.38 million D-Jet, says Diamond. The twin turbo-diesel powered DA42 will be operated with a pilot and up to three passengers. The single-turbofan D-Jet will seat four passengers, and offer greater speed and range. Point2Point began operations last year, and plans expand throughout the US Midwest.
The D-Jet made its US debut at last month's AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and is now in flight test at Diamond's Canadian plant, with US certification planned for 2008. A lower-cost, lighter and less well-equipped version will follow for the European market.
Source: Flight International
