Graham Warwick/WASHINGTON DC
NetJets Middle East has taken delivery of its first Raytheon Hawker 800XP mid-size business jet, as the fledgling fractional ownership programme gathers momentum.
The aircraft joins two larger Gulfstream IV-SPs in service with the Jeddah, Saudi Arabia-based company. NetJets Middle East's first "super mid-size" Dassault Falcon 2000 is due to arrive in August. The operation has 38 aircraft of the three types on order for delivery by 2005.
Nine aircraft are set to be in service by the year-end, two of each type in the company-owned core fleet and the first customer-owned GIV and Hawkers. Mohammed Al Zeer, director-general of National Air Services, Executive Jet's financing and operating partner in NetJets Middle East, says aircraft shares have been sold in Saudi Arabia and Egypt to private individuals and one company.
The company is looking at larger and smaller aircraft, but there will be no decision for 18-24 months, says Al Zeer. NetJets USA already has Boeing Business Jets on order.
The Middle East operation follows the example set by NetJets Europe, which started off slowly but is accelerating as referrals increase. Referrals by satisfied shareowners continue to be the predominant way for new customers to enter the NetJets system.
"The [European] programme is moving along nicely now," says Executive Jet chairman Richard Santulli. "We are starting to get into referrals." NetJets Europe has passed 100 customers and is adding one aircraft a month, he says. Together, the European and Middle East operations will total 34 aircraft by the year-end.
Executive Jet is dusting off plans to start up an Asian operation following the region's financial recovery. "We are not in a position to make an announcement," says Santulli. "We are evaluating the market and the regulatory and infrastructure issues, but no decision has been taken on how, when and who with."
Source: Flight International
