SAVANNAH, Georgia — Qatar Airways signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. for the purchase of up to 20 aircraft. The agreement was announced in conjunction with Gulfstream’s introduction of an all-new family of business jets, the Gulfstream G500 and G600.
The Memorandum of Understanding establishes the initial agreement for Qatar Airways to order up to 20 Gulfstream aircraft, including firm orders and options for the all-new, wide-cabin G500 and the flagship G650ER. The Memorandum of Understanding marks the beginning of a new relationship between Qatar Airways and Gulfstream.
Said His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive, Qatar Airways, “Qatar Executive has been on an accelerated growth path since its inception and is held to an exceptional standard of quality that is widely known by our global clientele. In order to keep pace with the future strategic growth plans of our private jet division, the fleet is being expanded with aircraft that meet the needs of our guests, providing a wide range of options.
The announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding for G650ERs and G500s signals a next step for Qatar Executive's relatively young and buoyant history."
From its start in 2009, Qatar Executive has rapidly risen to become a leader in air charter services for individuals, families, businesses, corporations and governments. As part of Qatar Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, Qatar Executive’s clients are assured an excellent charter experience.
“This agreement is evidence of the industry-leading performance of Gulfstream’s flagship aircraft, the G650ER, and of our commitment to deliver on the promises we have made for our new family of aircraft, which includes the G500,” said Larry Flynn, president, Gulfstream. “With their unmatched high-speed capabilities and class-leading cabin comfort, the G650ER and G500 will allow Qatar Airways to introduce a new level of service to their customers in the Middle East and abroad.”
The G500’s all-new design optimizes speed, wide-cabin comfort and efficiency, and featuresnew industry-leading safety technologies. The G500 can fly 5,000 nautical miles/9,260 kilometers at Mach 0.85 or 3,800 nm/7,038 km at Mach 0.90. The aircraft will link Doha, Qatar, nonstop with London, Geneva and Paris at Mach 0.90 and is expected to enter service in 2018.
Gulfstream projects it will receive type certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency in 2017.
The G650ER, an ultra-long-range aircraft, can travel 7,500 nm/13,890 km at Mach 0.85 and 6,400 nm/11,853 km at Mach 0.90. The G650ER can fly nonstop from Doha to New York at Mach 0.90 and nonstop from Doha to Los Angeles at Mach 0.85. Announced in May 2014, the G650ER recently received FAA certification.
The G650ER and the G500 are also distinguished by their cabin environments. Designed with wide cross-sections that maximize passenger comfort and aircraft performance, both aircraft feature 100 percent fresh air and industry-leading cabin altitudes that boost mental alertness and productivity while reducing fatigue. Gulfstream’s signature large oval windows allow natural light to pour into the cabins.
Qatar Executive was established as part of Qatar Airways’ ongoing robust global growth strategy and continued commitment to the Middle East and global business travel community.
Headquartered at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar Executive’s jet services are available for worldwide charter onboard the operator’s wholly-owned fleet. Qatar Executive's service portfolio includes aircraft management, airliner charter, maintenance and FBO services.
For images: https://www.flickr.com/photos/qatarairways/sets/72157648367665060/
Notes to Editors:
About Qatar Airways:
Qatar Airways celebrates its one year anniversary, in October 2014, of joining the oneworld global alliance. The award-winning alliance was named the World’s Best Airline Alliance 2014 by Skytrax for the second year running this year. Qatar Airways was the first Gulf carrier to join a global airline alliance, enabling its passengers to benefit from almost 1,000 airports in more than 150 countries, with 14,250 daily departures.
Award-winning carrier Qatar Airways was presented with three honours at the annual Skytrax 2014 World Airline Awards held during the Farnborough Air Show in the UK. The airline was awarded World’s Best Business Class for the second year consecutively, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge for the second year consecutively and, Best Airline in the Middle East for the eighth time.
At the Farnborough Air Show, the airline placed an order for 100 Boeing 777X aircraft, taking Qatar Airways’ orders to more than 340 aircraft with a value of US $70 billion. For more information, visit our homepage www.qatarairways.com or our sites on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, and YouTube.
For further information contact:
Qatar Airways Group, Corporate Communications Department
Tel: +974 40222072, Fax: +974 40225350
E-mail: qrmedia@qatarairways.com.qa
Website: www.qatarairways.com
About Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation:
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 2,200 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the Gulfstream G150TM, the Gulfstream G280TM, the Gulfstream G450TM, the Gulfstream G550TM, the Gulfstream G500 TM, the Gulfstream G600 TM, the Gulfstream G650TM and the Gulfstream G650ERTM. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft SalesTM. The company employs more than 15,000 people at 12 major locations. We invite you to visit our website for more information and photos at www.gulfstreamnews.com.