NetJets Europe received its first Signature Series Bombardier Challenger 350 yesterday morning during a ceremony at the EBACE static display. NetJets chairman and CEO Jordan Hansell took the keys to CS-CHA, which is the 500th Challenger 300-series aircraft to be delivered, from newly installed Bombardier president and CEO Alain Bellemare.
“NetJets announced it would be the launch customer for the Challenger 350 at EBACE 2013,” Hansell said. “We have 75 firm orders planned and an additional 125 options available, worth $5.4 billion. The orders were placed in the height of the recession, so it was a big gamble for us. Fortunately, it is paying off for us.”
The fractional ownership group currently has 11 Challenger 350s operating in the U.S. since taking the first one in June last year, and NetJets Europe will receive a total of four this year. It will have 27 of the super-midsize jets in service in the U.S. by year-end, Hansell told AIN.
“Our Challenger 350s are proving to be a very popular choice of super-midsize aircraft for our customers, and we are selling shares at a fast rate,” he said. “We’re pre-selling them faster than we can take delivery of the airplanes.”
Hansell is optimistic about the market here in Europe, saying, “It is continuing to show signs of improvement.” NetJets’ Embraer Phenom 300s and Bombardier Global 6000s are also selling well in the region, he noted. The company secured London City Airport approval for the Phenom 300 earlier this year, which increases its appeal to financial executives who work in Canary Wharf, near the downtown airport.
NetJets’ Challenger 350s has seating for up to 10 passengers and includes a club configuration and berthable three-place divan. The 3,200-nm aircraft is capable of connecting all corners of Europe and beyond, reaching North Africa and the Middle East from London.
Meanwhile, NetJets will take delivery of its first Bombardier Challenger 650 in the fourth quarter. The large-cabin jet, which is slated to enter service in the second half of this year, is making its public debut here at EBACE.
