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Qatar Airways
is purchasing a Bombardier Challenger 300
super mid-size business jet aircraft for regional and transcontinental on-demand
travel.
The Qatar Airways Challenger 300 is scheduled for delivery in March 2005, and will
be operated by the Amiri Flight Division of Qatar Airways from its base at Doha
International Airport. It will join Qatar Airways' large and growing VIP fleet, which
currently includes two Bombardier Global Express ultra long-range business jets.
"We selected the Challenger 300 after a thorough analysis of all aircraft in this
category and determined that the Challenger 300 is the superior offering," stated
Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways. "We strongly believe
the Challenger 300 with its large cabin, outstanding reliability and proven range
will be an ideal complement to our longer-range Global Express aircraft."
Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing international airlines in the world. Over
the past 18 months, its fleet has grown from 18 aircraft to 33 with further increases
predicted. Qatar Airways presently flies to 53 destinations in Europe, the Middle
East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East and will offer flights to
70 destinations, including Australia and the US, by the end of 2005.
"Qatar Airways, one of only three airlines worldwide to have been awarded the
5-star ranking by independent aviation quality control monitor Skytrax, is
recognized internationally for superior quality and service, and this positive
development underlines the suitability of the new Challenger 300 aircraft for
charter operations in the Gulf Region," stated Mike Fahey, Regional Vice-President, Sales, Middle-East and Africa, Bombardier Aerospace, Business
Aircraft.
Fully certificated by Transport Canada, the U.S. Federal Aviation Association
(FAA) and the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), the Bombardier Challenger 300 delivers a top speed of Mach 0.82 (541 mph; 870 km/h) and a
maximum non-stop range of 3,100 nautical miles (5,741 km) with eight passengers
and is approved to a maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 m). |
