Up to 30 Gulfstream aircraft to join Qatar executive fleet.
SAVANNAH, GA. – Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics announced that Qatar Executive has agreed to purchase up to 30 Gulfstream aircraft as part of a Memorandum of Understanding originally announced in October of last year.
The original sale called for Qatar Executive to purchase up to 20 Gulfstream aircraft, including the all-new Gulfstream G500. The recently signed 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,” said 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, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said, “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 optimizes speed, wide-cabin comfort and efficiency, and features new 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 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 on May 18, 2015. Gulfstream projects it will receive type certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency in 2017. The G600 flight-test program 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.
Qatar Airways to fly the Airbus A350 XWB on its double-daily service to Munich
Qatar Airways, the Global Launch Customer of the A350 XWB, has announced the expansion of its A350 services to Germany, with the new state-of-the-art aircraft being deployed on its Doha-Munich route.
Commencing 1st October 2015, the Doha-based airline will be launching the A350 XWB to Munich alongside its existing Boeing 787 Dreamliner service on one of the two double-daily flights to Munich.
Beginning 1st November 2015, the second daily flight to Munich will also be operated with the world’s newest wide-body aircraft, the A350 XWB, further strengthening the airline’s position in Germany as a world-class airline providing passengers with an exclusive premium travel experience.
Qatar Airways introduced its first and second commercial A350 XWB flights to the German market with flights to Frankfurt in January and March this year. The airline has also recently launched its third A350 aircraft to Singapore and will add its fourth and fifth aircraft with all three daily flights to Singapore scheduled to be operated with the A350 XWB by mid-August, 2015.
“The introduction of the A350 XWB aircraft to the Doha-Munich sector, which is an important and strategic route for Qatar Airways, will redefine the in-flight experience for our Munich-based passengers who travel to Doha and onwards to key destinations in the Middle East, Indian sub-continent, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas,” said Mr. Akbar Al Baker.
“Qatar Airways is delighted to be the first airline in Germany to provide this unique offering of flying exclusively the A350 XWB to two key cities, reiterating the airline’s steadfast commitment to the market.”
Qatar Airways’ A350 XWB boasts outstanding levels of comfort with a spacious seating configuration. Wider seats in both Business and Economy classes, the lowest twin engine noise level of any aircraft, advanced air conditioning technology and full LED mood lighting, all work together to enhance the comfort of passengers, while reducing fatigue after a long flight.
Qatar Airways’ A350s feature 283 seats – with 36 seats in Business Class in a 1-2-1 configuration, featuring 80” inch fully flat horizontal beds – and a 247 seating capacity in Economy Class in a 3-3-3 layout. All seats in Business Class have a direct aisle access with 17” HD in-flight entertainment screens. Economy Class features 10.6” in-flight entertainment screens and more space for passengers in window seats, thanks to a vertical side wall panel design.
Passengers can also enjoy more than 2,000 movies, games and audio entertainment options on Qatar Airways’ newly revealed inflight entertainment system, “Oryx One – Explore. Play. Share.” – available in both Business and Economy classes.
Qatar Airways currently has three Airbus A350 XWB in its fleet of aircraft, with 77 more on order, and is the only airline in the world to operate every family of Airbus’ modern airline portfolio. The airline, which has been serving Munich since 1998, currently operates 14 flights each week between Munich and the airline’s Doha base, Hamad International Airport, from which it flies to 146 key leisure and business destinations worldwide.
Doha – Munich A350 XWB schedules from 1st October 2015:
- Departure in Doha QR 057 at 08:20, arriving in Munich at 13:25
- Departure from Munich QR 058 16:35, arriving in Doha at 23:05
Second Daily Doha – Munich A350 XWB schedules from 1st November 2015:
- Departure in Doha QR 059 at 02:15, arriving in Munich at 06:30
- Departure from Munich QR 060 10:25, arriving in Doha at 18:00
Photo caption: Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, and Gulfstream President, Larry Flynn, announcing the Qatar Executive purchase of 30 Gulfstream jets at EBACE.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
