Eclipse Aviation is continuing to smash order records and announced a further 80 aircraft sales at NBAA this morning.
Jubilant Vern Raburn said: “The Eclipse 500 orderbook is the largest in the VLJ segment and we attribute this to our ability to deliver the industry’s highest performance jet at break through prices.”
Today’s orders are for 50 aircraft for the UK’s JetSet Air and 30 aircraft for Massachusetts air-taxi operator Linear Air.Brazilian manufacturer Embraer was tight-lipped about orders for its VLJ – The Phenom 100 – but confirmed orders and deposits had been received following the unveiling of the aircraft yesterday.
Manufacturers confirmed that the air taxi market is still “very hot” and it is Eclipse that is picking up the majority market share. The company already has 2,350 aircraft on order, consisting of 1,592 firm orders with 765 options. All are secured with non-refundable deposits.
“This is a great aircraft for everyone from owner operators to high-utilization air taxi and shared ownership businesses,” Raburn says.
JetSet Air is a start-up business that is planning to introduce the mass air-taxi concept to Europe and will be operating this and scheduled shuttle services from the UK to popular European destinations.
Linear currently operates Cessna Caravans and will be switching to the Eclipse to boost its expansion from the Boston and New York city areas to other US markets.
At the static park this afternoon further orders were announced with Cessna declaring sales of 28 Citation aircraft.
Source: Flight Daily News
