The first of three Bombardier CRJ200 jets sold to Middle Eastern operator Emerald Jets by MAC Aircraft Sales is on static display here at EBACE.
The aircraft was converted to ExecLiner format by Canadian completions specialist Flying Colours. Following its EBACE visit, it will be painted with Emerald Jets' name and logo before flying to Beirut for a handover within the next fortnight.
Emerald Jets has bases in the Lebanese capital and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. Formerly known as Easyfly, the four-year-old company has rebranded in line with expansion of its service range to include passenger charter operations as well as VIP flying.
The new CRJ200 ExecLiner joins Emerald Jets' fleet of three Hawker aircraft: one 800XP and two 400XPs. The operator's past customers include "high-level customers" such as "princes, businessmen and banks" as well as Saudi Telecom, says Emerald Jets president Talal Wahab. He expects his new aircraft to be based "90% of the time" in Riyadh.
Portland, Maine-based MAC Aircraft Sales buys and converts CRJ200s. Company president Allyn Caruso characterises the type as a "great charter platform" and "a money-making machine" thanks to its "low operating costs and huge cabin".
Beirut opportunities for Emerald's president Talal Wahab and MAC's president Allyn Caruso
- All the latest news, images and video from EBACE 2010
Source: Flight Daily News
