Inma Arabia Investment Learjet 60 XR jet launch customer for Middle East
Bombardier today announced the sales breakthrough of its next-generationBombardier Learjet 60 XR jet in the Middle East. Firm orders from an operator in Dubai and Jeddah for one aircraft each, and operators in Kuwait for two aircraft combine for a total value of $52 million US, based on the list price for typically equipped aircraft.
The Learjet 60 XR aircraft’s sales success was further underlined at the Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) 2007 show in Dubai by the appearance of Middle Eastern launch customer, Saudi businessman Ghassan Tabbah Shalabi, president of Inma Arabia Investment of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, who will base the aircraft in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Scheduled for customer delivery in the fourth quarter of calendar year 2007, Inma Arabia Investment’s Learjet 60 XR aircraft will fly charter missions from Jeddah throughout the
Gulf region and Europe. ExecuJet Middle East of Dubai will operate the jet, which will also be offered through Bombardier’s premier business jet charter program, Skyjet International. The high-performance Learjet 60 XR business aircraft can connect Jeddah-Milan and Dubai-Moscow non-stop.
“Prior to selecting the Learjet 60 XR, my thorough due diligence included flights on each of its competitors, and without a doubt, theLearjet 60 XR outperformed them all,” said Mr. Shalabi, who is also an aviation enthusiast. “I was particularly impressed by the aircraft's speed and climb capability at takeoff, its ability to land on short runways, and its spacious cabin. The state-of-the-art avionics system, with the paperless cockpit option, was also a key factor in my decision.”
The Learjet 60 XR aircraft – the newest member of the legendary Learjet family – is poised to set new standards in performance, comfort, value and versatility in the worldwide midsize jet market. Particularly well suited to meet the needs of operators in the Middle East, the Learjet 60 XR jet has a 2,451 nautical mile (4,539 km) range and delivers superior climb capabilities, with proven fuel-efficiency and low direct operating costs per nautical mile*. Combined with its impressive dispatch reliability – averaging 99.8 per cent over the past 12 months – the high performance jet easily masters the region’s demanding operating conditions.
“The strong interest in our new aircraft models, such as the Learjet 60 XR, is powering the mounting momentum for Bombardier products in the fast-growing business aviation market in the Middle East. In just over a year, we have sold over 25 new business jets in the region,” stated Jahid Fazal-Karim, senior vice-president, sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft.
“The Learjet 60 XR is raising the bar in the midsize category on every count and is clearly a factor in our Middle East growth.”
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted approval for the new Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite in October 2006. The first Learjet 60 XR aircraft is scheduled to enter service in the first quarter of 2007.
Bombardier Learjet 60 XR – the next evolution of the proven Learjet 60 aircraft
Launched in November 2005, the Learjet 60 XR aircraft retains the extraordinary combination of value and high-speed performance of the Learjet 60 aircraft, while adding a state-of-the-art Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite and a redesigned cabin.
The Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite applies the latest flight deck design, human factors concepts and system technology to offer pilots instant, intuitive access to critical flight information. The integrated avionics package includes four 8-inch by 10-inch (20.3-cm by 25.4-cm) high-resolution liquid crystal display adaptive flight screens, increasing the overall display area by 75 per cent and dramatically improving the quality of the visuals. The integrated flight information system, which includes accessing electronic charts as standard equipment, allows pilots to view approach plates and airport diagrams.
The Learjet 60 XR business jet’s newly styled interior builds upon a stand-up cabin already well known for its superior comfort, wide aisle and generous seated head and shoulder room.
Space for up to nine passengers is enhanced with redesigned seats that improve legroom, while a larger galley and vanity cabinet offer optimized work areas and additional storage space.
The cabin also highlights a next-generation cabin electronic system with ergonomically positioned touch-screens featuring a simplified control design, as well as a state-of-the-art audio-video system capable of playing XM satellite radio and ports for entertainment accessories such as laptops, DVD, and MP3 players.
About Skyjet International
Bombardier Skyjet International is at the forefront of charter expansion in the Middle East. Its customers have the largest charter fleet in the region at their disposal, as well as access to a worldwide fleet of over 930 high-performance, Bombardier business jets from the sporty Bombardier Learjet to the widebody Bombardier Challenger to the top-of-the-line Bombardier Global series. Skyjet International is linked with the premier charter leaders in the Middle East – including Qatar Airways, Royal Jet, ExecuJet, Cirrus Middle East and Bexair – to offer customers unmatched aircraft availability and choice. Moreover, Bombardier Skyjet International is the only service of its kind offered by a business aircraft manufacturer, ensuring that passengers can also rely on uncompromising levels of reliability.
About Bombardier
world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from regional aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended Jan. 31, 2006, were $14.7 billion US and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). News and information are available at www.bombardier.com.
Bombardier, Global, Challenger, Learjet 60, Learjet 60 XR and Skyjet International are trademark(s) of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.
Note to Editors:
*Under certain operating conditions.
For information
Leo Knaapen
Bombardier Business Aicraft
Tel: 514-969-5181
leo.knaapen@aero.bombardier.com