Gulfstream is celebrating twice over at the show. It is marking the imminent delivery of Qatar Airways’ G650ER, the first of a record 10-aircraft order placed at the EBACE business aviation show in May. The deal, which included 20 options, was for six G650ERs, 19 G500s and five G600s.
It has also notched up a new speed record for its top-of-the-range G650ER, travelling to Dubai from Savannah, a distance of 6,679nm (12,300km) in 13h exactly, with a crew of four and three passengers, and travelling at Mach 0.89.
The aircraft left the US city at 22:15 on 5 November.
One thing that did not go quite to plan for the US manufacturer, however, was the absence of the Qatar Executive G650ER from the static display. Although publicity material ahead of the show had said the aircraft would be there in Qatar Executive colours, it is still in the delivery centre in Savannah and is not expected to be handed over until December.
Gulfstream remains bullish about its Middle East prospects. “We are seeing a lot of activity,” says Trevor Esling, regional senior vice-president for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. “It’s a market that has been dominated by the G650. From a brand perspective, if you ask most people about the top brand in business aviation, Gulfstream would come out more or less on top,” he says.
Source: Flight Daily News
