Having already attracted interest from Qatar Executive for its range-topping G650ER, Gulfstream is bullish on the sales prospects for the long-distance jet in the Middle East.
Qatar in October placed a tentative order for up to 20 Gulfstream aircraft - comprising the newly launched G500 and existing G650ER.
And Gulfstream senior vice-president worldwide sales and marketing Scott Neal is confident the latter will find further customers in the region.
“For some people here the extra 500nm [926km] range that the -ER variant offers is very important,” says Neal.
Additionally, it is garnering “significant interest” in its latest large-cabin duo - the G500 and G600 - which joined the airframer’s six-strong business jet line-up in October.
“These latest models have filled the gaps in our product line which spans the 3,600nm [midsize] G280 to the 7,500nm G650ER. This move-up market is very important,” says Neal.
Both the G500 and G600 feature Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800 powerplants and are earmarked for certification in 2017 and 2019 respectively.
The Savannah, Georgia-based manufacturer has three aircraft on the MEBA static display - a G450, G550 and what appears to be a G650ER.
However, the latter is actually a G650 company demonstrator and will be converted to the long-range variant on its return to the US after the show.
“This process is expected to take around two weeks to complete in our Savannah service centre,” says Neal.
Source: Flight Daily News
