Qatar Executive boosts private jet orders from Gulfstream

Qatar Executive, the private charter business of Qatar Airways, last week tacked 10 new luxury jets onto its order from Gulfstream, to add a total of 30 aircraft to its business charter fleet.

The airline is looking forward to the additions of Gulfstream’s latest designs, the G500, G600 and G650ER, but it will have a while to wait before the order can be filled. The first G500 off the line just made its maiden flight on Tuesday, and has a year or more of approval processes to go through with aviation authorities in the United States and Europe. The aircraft manufacturer’s first G600 is still being constructed.

Gulfstream President Larry Flynn and Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker made a joint announcement of the deal on Wednesday, one day after the G500’s heralded first flight.

“Qatar Executive continues to expand its operations, and the incoming addition of these new aircraft will enable us to widen the range of services available to our clients seeking bespoke and tailored travel services,” Al Baker said.

For his part, Flynn was encouraged by the faith Qatar Executive showed in Gulfstream’s new jet designs, which will all be capable of flying more than 5,000 nautical miles at speeds approaching Mach 1.