25 Learjet 45s are destined to join Business Jet Solutions fleet
With a customer base for the 18-month-old Bombardier/AMR COMBS shared-ownership joint venture "fast approaching 100 customers", two Bombardier Global Express long-range business jets and 25 Learjet 45 will be added to the FlexJet fractional-ownership fleet.
The initial Global Express, on static display at the business-aviation trade show, will become one of the two long-range business aircraft to be added to the Business JetSolutions fleet in late 1999.
The Learjet 45 will be added to the FlexJet programme beginning in March 1999. The transaction includes options for an additional 25. A "bridge" programme has been created where those purchasing shares in a Learjet 31A or Learjet 60 can upgrade to the latest-model Learjet corporate aircraft in flight-test. Learjet 45 certification is expected in the first half of 1997.
First flown in October 1995, six Learjet 45s are active in flight-testing, which is half completed. The aircraft have accumulated nearly 700h on 347 flights. Excluding the 25 Learjet 45s going to FlexJet, Learjet 45 production is sold out until 1999, says the aircraft maker.
Business JetSolutions has 21 aircraft (eight Learjet 31As, eight 60s and five Canadair Challengers) available for fractional ownership. As well as the two Global Expresses and 25 Learjet 45s, it will add at least 12 Learjet 31As, ten Learjet 60s and six Challenger 604s.
Source: Flight International
