Raytheon has clinched its largest-ever order from a Middle East customer with the sale to Saudi charter operator National Air Service (NAS) of 20 Hawker 750 mid-size business jets. The deal is valued at $250 million.
The move follows the sale last month to fractional ownership providers NetJets Aviation and NetJets Europe of 48 Hawker 750 and 900XP business jets. NetJets Europe was the launch customer for the 750 late last year with its initial order for 30 of the type.
The Lisbon, Portugal-based company is scheduled to take delivery of the first aircraft early next year and says around 10 aircraft will be delivered in 2008.
NAS is a partner in the NetJets Middle East operation, but the Saudi operator is believed to have earmarked the 20 750s for its own Gulf charter operations.
The 750 and 900XP are derivatives of the Hawker 850XP. The 900XP has 460km (250nm) more range, giving it true US coast-to-coast capability, and more powerful Honeywell TFE731-50 engines. The "descoped" 750 has reduced fuel capacity and range. Externally, both aircraft are identical to the 850XP, except that the 750 lacks winglets.
Meanwhile, the Royal Bank of Scotland has agreed to finance two Gulfstream IV-SP long-range business jets for NAS.
Source: Flight International
