Gulfstream has returned to the Paris air show after a six-year break and is eager to show off its two flagship business jets - the G650 and G280 - to the throngs of business aircraft enthusiasts.

"The economic crisis that hit in 2008 forced us to evaluate our air show commitments," says Gulfstream's vice-president of communications, Steve Cass. "Now business is returning. We have an order backlog of $15 billion and international markets make up 60% of this total. Customers from across the globe are asking us to go to exhibit at Paris."

Gulfstream G650

 Billypix

Gulfstream is also increasing its focus on the European market. Earlier this month the airframer opened a sales and design centre in London and it recently expanded its Luton airport-based service centre.

The G650 and super-midsize G280 arrived at the show in style having set new world record flights. The ultra-long-range G650 smashed the record for the fastest flight from Savannah, Georgia to Paris, Le Bourget, which was held for 25 years by the out of production GIV. "The G650 made the 7,221km (3,899nm) trip in 7h 12mins, shaving an hour and four minutes off the GIV's time," says Cass.

The super-midsize G280 set a city pair record on 9 June, flying the 6,557km (3,358nm) journey from Hanscom Field in Bedford, Massachusetts to Bydgoszcz airport in Poland in 7h 21mins. Both records are pending confirmation by the National Aeronautic Association.

Check out the latest news and views from this year's Paris air show, including:

Finally, our new-look iFDN editions will contain exclusive footage from Paris 2013. Find out more

Source: Flight Daily News

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