Qatar Executive is to purchase up to 30 Gulfstream aircraft as part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the US aircraft manufacturer originally announced in October last year.

The original sale called for Qatar Executive to purchase up to 20 Gulfstream aircraft, including the all-new Gulfstream G500. 

Announcing the revised order on the first day of the European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (Ebace) in Geneva, Switzerland, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp said the final agreement increases the purchase to 30 firm orders and options that are a combination of both of Gulfstream’s new clean-sheet, wide-cabin aircraft, the G500 and G600, and the flagship G650ER.

“Gulfstream is proud to deliver on the commitment we made to Qatar Executive and forge ahead with this new relationship,” says Larry Flynn, President, Gulfstream. “The increased order of Gulfstream aircraft confirms Qatar Executive’s confidence in the G500, G600 and G650ER and in the world-class experience their customers will have.”

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker says: “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.”

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.

The G500 and G600’s all-new design optimises speed, wide-cabin comfort and efficiency, and features new industry-leading safety technologies. 

The G500 can fly 5,000 nautical miles/9,260 km at Mach 0.85 or 3,800 nm/7,038 km at Mach 0.90. The G600 is capable of traveling 6,200 nm/11,482 km at Mach 0.85 or 4,800 nm/8,890 km at Mach 0.90. The maximum operating speed for both aircraft is Mach 0.925, the same speed as Gulfstream’s G650 and G650ER.

The first flight of the G500 occurred yesterday (May 18) and Gulfstream projects it will receive type certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in 2017. The G600 flight-test programme is expected to begin approximately 12 to 18 months after the G500’s, and entry into service is projected to be in 2019.

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. 

Gulfstream announced the G650ER in May 2014, and the aircraft received type certification from the FAA five months later. Qatar will take delivery of its G650ER in the fourth quarter of 2015.

A wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, 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. Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the G150, the G280, the G450, the G550, the G500, the G600, the G650 and the G650ER. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales.