ROYAL JET, a fast-growing charter airline owned by the Abu Dhabi government, has announced the purchase of two Bombardier Challenger 300 super midsize business jets while ordering two more aircraft.
The first aircraft will begin operations in the second quarter of 2005 and can carry eight passengers, a statement said.
An industry source said the estimated cost of each Bombardier CL300 is $20 million. The latest acquisition comes on the heels of the airline’s recent purchase of a second, luxury Boeing Business Jet 737-400, expanding the airline’s fleet to six planes, including two Gulfstream aircraft.
HE Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi Civil Aviation and chairman of Royal Jet, said in a statement, “Within one year we have become firmly established within the market for luxury air charter services. The addition of a new aircraft reinforces the fact that we are constantly working to meet the increasing demand from our customers.”
The new Boeing aircraft will help Royal Jet offer a unique service to clients who will be using the aircraft for a long period of time — personalized branding on the jet. The aircraft’s interior meets the high standards of luxury that Royal Jet represents and as with all of the company’s flights, the BBJ 737-700’s interiors can be designed to meet the client’s personal needs and requirements.
Royal Jet’s success is reflected by its plans to expand within the Middle East. Plans are already in place to open an office in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in order to provide a personalized service to its Saudi based customers, as well as an office in Dubai to serve UAE clients. The expansion plans reflect the company’s aim to be
the premier provider for private charter air services throughout the Middle East.