Nextant Aerospace is stepping up its marketing effort for the 400XT in Europe following EASA certification of the light cabin business jet late last year.
Despite the fragility of the light business jet sector across the region, the US airframer says it is confident the remanufactured Hawker 400A/XP will fill the niche for owners and operators in Europe looking for a low-cost, high-quality business jet with a range of more than 2,100nm (3,900km).
Nextant president Sean McGeough points to new research conducted by the Ohio-based company that reveals an installed base of 1,542 entry level/light business jets in Europe, with a combined value of around $5 billion.
"Many of these owners," McGeough says, "are looking to replace their aircraft with new types that are more fuel-efficient and offer better value for money. That is where the 400XT comes in."
He adds: "The aircraft sells at a base price that is around half that of a comparable [new] aircraft and is equipped with new Williams International FJ44-3AP engines, Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 cockpit and interior."
McGeough says that while price tags of used aircraft are at an historical low, they "do not come with a two-year full aircraft manufacturer warranty, like the 400XT".
Nextant has already delivered two 400XTs to European customers and is set to hand over a third aircraft this month to a Swiss customer.
"We are now building our service centre network to support the growing fleet", McGeough says. Nextant already has a facility in Augsburg, Germany, and is poised to add Jet Aviation's Zurich facility to the maintenance portfolio.
Source: Flight International
