Qatar Executive has become the international launch customer for the Gulfstream G500, following delivery of two of the superlarge-cabin business jets to the VIP charter company on 17 December.
The aircraft (registration A7-CGP and A7-CGQ) are from a 2014 order from Qatar for 30 Gulfstream business jets, including its larger, longer-range sister, the G600 – for which Qatar will also be the international launch customer – and the flagship G650ER. Qatar increased its order for the latter in 2015 and has taken delivery of five aircraft to date. The Doha-headquartered operator plans to add another G650ER and five G500s in 2019.
Akbar Al Baker, chief executive of Qatar Airways Group, calls the G500 “a state-of-the-art aircraft” which sets “a new industry benchmark and will offer our passengers an unrivalled flying experience”.
Gulfstream Aerospace
The G500 secured type certification from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority in October, three months after the US Federal Aviation Administration granted approval for the 5,200nm (9,620km)-range type.
Qatar Executive
The first aircraft was handed over on 27 September, and Flight Fleets Analyzer records deliveries of nine examples to date.
Qatar operates a 15-strong business jet fleet, Fleets Analyzer shows, with the line-up also consisting of three Bombardier Challenger 605s, four Global 5000s, and a Global XRS.
Source: Flight International
