Bombardier’s 1,000th Challenger 600 series aircraft is set to enter into service this year …and that airplane will be the first Challenger 650, built for private aviation leader NetJets Inc.
Bombardier made the announcement as business aircraft manufacturers descended on Las Vegas for the 2015 National Business Aviation Association conference and exhibition.
The airplane will be on static display at the three-day show opening Tuesday.
Pat Gallagher (left) of NetJets with David Coleal of Bombardier in Las Vegas on Monday.
“Our collaboration with NetJets to create their Signature Series concept on our Challenger and Global platforms is evidence of what can be accomplished when two visionary industry leaders join forces,” said David Coleal, president of Bombardier Business Aircraft.
The aircraft is part of an original NetJets order announced in June 2012 for 100 Challenger aircraft with options for an additional 175, Bombardier said.
NetJets has also placed a firm order for 50 Global jets with options for an additional 70 aircraft in March 2011.
“The Challenger 650 aircraft will be a wonderful addition to our fleet,” said Pat Gallagher, NetJets’ executive vice-president of sales and marketing.
The airplane received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada this month.
With a range of more than 7,400 kilometres, the aircraft can fly from London to New York, Dubai to London or Sao Paulo to Miami non-stop.
In other show news:
Embraer Executive Jets is forecasting a global demand for 9,100 new business jets, worth $259 billion, over the next 10 years.
“This is the total market opportunity to be serviced by all manufacturers and represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 3 per cent per year over the next 10 years, Embraer said.
“The analysis foresees that demand is likely to exceed the last decade’s deliveries and market value, when approximately 8,190 business jets were delivered, worth $198 billion.”
Earlier in the day, Boeing Business Jets announced orders for four new BBJ MAX 8 airplanes.
Three airplanes were ordered by an undisclosed customer based in the Middle East while one order came from an undisclosed customer in Asia, Boeing said.
Nearly 100 business aircraft will be on display at NBAA15, which has attracted more than 1,000 exhibitors from around the world.
Meanwhile, Cessna Aircraft Co. debuted its new Citation Longitude business jet.
It also announced plans to enter the large business jet category with the Citation Hemisphere.
“The Longitude and Hemisphere will join the Citation Latitude to complete a new, large-cabin, three-aircraft Citation family,” the company said.
Images are courtesy of Bombardier, NBAA, Embraer, Boeing and Cessna.
Bombardier has added two more aircraft to its Global family of business jets that the company says will deliver “unmatched total performance”.
