GULFSTREAM HAS become the first US business-jet manufacturer to have its aircraft certificated by the CIS Aviation Register of Interstate Aviation Committee, under recently harmonised CIS/US rules for Transport Category Aircraft (AP25). The CIS approval covers the Gulfstream III, IV and IV-SP models.
"We see Russia and the other CIS countries as a critical emerging market for business aviation-with vast distances between economic opportunities," says Gene Rainville, executive vice-president for international sales.
US business-jet rival Cessna, meanwhile, hopes to boost sales of its Citation business jet family in the former Soviet Union by appointing aviation services company Loyd's Investments as its authorised sales representative in the CIS.
Loyd's has offices and representatives in Moscow, Baku and Azerbaijan and already works for Cessna in Poland. Loyd's is also the Boeing representative in Belorussia, Russia and Ukraine. Other involvements in the CIS include a subsidiary known as Russian Helicopter Operators which specialises in the marketing, modernisation and upgrading of locally made helicopters.
Loyd's president Aaron Fenkel says: "We believe that Cessna Citations are the best in their class and ideal for the Russian business-jet market."
Source: Flight International
