Middle Eastern VIP operator Qatar Executive has added the first Gulfstream business jet to its Bombardier and Airbus fleet following the handover of a G650ER on 11 December.

The ultra-long-range twin is part of order from the Qatar Airways subsidiary for up to 30 business jets from the Gulfstream stable, including six G650ERs, and 24 clean-sheet G500 and G600s.

“We take immense pride in welcoming the first G650ER,” said Qatar Airways group chief executive Akbar Al Baker, during the handover ceremony at Gulfstream’s base in Savannah, Georgia.

“Qatar Executive demands nothing less than the best for its discerning passengers and the G650ER, as the technologically most advanced business jet available in the market, enables us to offer a superior product.”

Qatar Executive G650ER

Qatar Executive

The flagship G650ER was selected, Qatar Executive says, for its market-leading 7,500nm (13,890km) range, which allows passengers “to fly non-stop from the Middle East to North America or from destinations in Asia to Africa”.

Qatar’s G650ER has a two-cabin configuration and capacity for up to 13 passengers. "It is perfectly suited for those whose travel needs include flying halfway around the globe," says the operator.

The G650ER joins Qatar’s fleet of eight large-cabin, long-range Bombardier business jets – three Challenger 605s, four Global 5000s and an XRS – and a 40-seat, premium-class Airbus A319.

Flightglobal's Fleets Analyzer database records a global in-service fleet of 148 G650/ER's and an orderbook for 88 of the type.

Source: Flight International