Whether for business or leisure, for the ultra-wealthy of the Arabian Gulf, being able to fly without stopping to New York and other US East Coast cities is a major plus. There is currently one business jet able to perform such a task – the Gulfstream G650ER. As a result, the Savannah-based manufacturer’s flagship performs strongly in the region.
But Savannah will not have the market to itself for much longer. Bombardier was at the Middle East Business Aviation Association show in Dubai promoting the virtues of the Global 7000. The large-cabin type – which has just begun flight testing – will also be able to reach the Big Apple in a single flight when it enters service in 2018.
The Canadian manufacturer believes the Global 7000’s size advantage over its rival from across the border will give it the edge in the Middle East.
And for those with a bit more cash to splash, Boeing says its newly launched BBJ Max 7 will be the first airliner-derived business jet to fulfil that mission: although Airbus suggests that its much earlier-to-service ACJ319neo is likely to develop extra range during the three years’ head start it has on the adapted 737.
The Gulf market may have stuttered in the past two years, but it is clear that the region’s elite are still willing to pay a premium for the privilege of flying to the USA without having to stop to fill up.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
