DOHA/DUBAI: Qatar Airways said yesterday that its corporate jet division, Qatar Executive, will add three new Bombardier aircraft to its fleet starting from later this month.
In two years since its launch, Qatar Executive will double its all-Bombardier fleet to six aircraft by the end of August.
The incoming deliveries will include a Bombardier XRS in May, followed by a Challenger 605 in July, and a Global 5000 in August, the latter of which is the second delivery from an order for two Global 5000s announced at the Farnborough Air Show last July.
The Doha-based corporate jet operation began in 2009 with two Bombardier Challenger 605s. Last October a Global 5000 joined the fleet, which took the total fleet up to three aircraft.
Another significant boost to Qatar Executive's operations is a dedicated 6,300 square metre hangar facility at Doha International Airport for maintenance operations. The facility is now open, and will serve other business aircraft operators as well.
The hangar features aircraft handling and dispatch services, aircraft cleaning, as well as passenger lounge facilities for visiting aircraft.
Qatar Executive was selected by Bombardier to become its second Approved Service Facility in the Middle East for the Challenger and Global aircraft.
According to the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) the number of private aircraft operated in the Arab World will increase from 450 today to 1,300 by 2020 with the addition of more than 800 units over the next 10 years.
"The Qatar Executive product is unique and offers boundless travel options -- a proposition which is highly suited for private traffic and corporations which have requirements such as combining multiple stops, travelling to remote locations, or landing at airports without scheduled commercial service," said Qatar Air Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker, speaking at Arabian Travel Market, a leading travel show taking place in Dubai.
All of the Qatar Executive aircraft feature luxurious seating and interiors, and have full galleys capable of serving a variety of multi-course meals together with hot and cold beverages.
Entertainment and communications options vary by aircraft type and features include iPod docking stations, satellite telephone, high-speed Internet and printer capabilities.
© The Peninsula 2011
