newswatcher

From "The Peninsula":

"Qatar Airways yesterday(7/12) bought two Bombardier Global Express ultra long-range business jets aircraft and signed an option for two additional Global Express for regional and intercontinental VIP on-demand travel, a release issued by Bombardier Aerospace from Dubai, said.

“The aircraft will join Qatar Airways’ large and growing Emiri VIP fleet, which currently includes high-end Airbus A340-200, A310-300, A320 and A319CJ aircraft. Three additional VIP aircraft, two A330-200 and an A340-500 will also shortly join the fleet,” the release added. The first Global Express is scheduled for delivery in mid-2004, the second in late 2004. The aircraft will feature a 13-passenger, three-compartment configuration with a crew rest area. The Emiri Flight division of Qatar Airways will operate the aircraft from its base at Doha International Airport, the release said.

“The proven Bombardier Global Express business jet, with its exceptional cabin, speed and range is the perfect addition to our Emiri VIP fleet,” Akbar Al Baker, chief executive officer, Qatar Airways, said. “The Global Express will provide the State of Qatar with a fitting flagship for VIPs attending to international responsibilities,” he added.

“It is an honor to be selected by Qatar Airways, an airline recognised for superior quality and service,” Mike Fahey, regional vice-president, sales, Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft, said. “The Bombardier Global Express will excel in operations with Qatar,” he added.

“No other business jet in its class matches the speed and range delivered by the Bombardier Global Express. At a cruise speed of Mach 0.88 (505 knots, 581 mph; 935 km/h) the aircraft consistently outpaces the Gulfstream G500, linking city pairs such as Dubai-London in less than seven hours, Doha-Paris in six hours and thirty minutes, or Riyadh-Geneva in a swift five hours and 40 minutes,” the release further stated. Qatar Airways’ purchase occurs just as the 115 aircraft in the Bombardier Global Express fleet surpass the 100,000 flight hours milestone. Since entering corporate service in July 1999, the aircraft continues to set an exceptional record of in-flight reliability. For the year ending September 2003, and after only 51 months of service, the aircraft posted a dispatch reliability of 99.25 per cent, the release added."