أخبار للنشر 2006
VistaJet orders three Challenger 605s
August 2006
New aircraft could boost VistaJet’s fleet to 14. The Swiss company has ordered three Challenger 605 jets and will take delivery of an additional Global Express XRS. It says a third Challenger 604 will be delivered in September.
This means that VistaJet currently has 14 jets either in operation or on order including two for which it has options. The company will take delivery of its first new Challenger 605 aircraft in late 2007, shortly after the aircraft’s scheduled entry into service. The list price for the typically equipped aircraft, excluding options, is approximately US$81 million.
“It is the first and largest multiple aircraft order placed by a European company for the new jet,” says Jahid Fazal-Karim, senior vp, new aircraft sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “The purchase is part of VistaJet’s strategy to convert its entire business jet fleet to Bombardier aircraft, offering the advantages of fleet commonality as well as full access to the Bombardier Skyjet International charter network”.
Bing Chen, ceo VistaJet, told GBJ: “A single manufacturer fleet is one of the simple ways to maximise our efficiency. We have already made great operational strides in this regard. Our charter aircraft, on average, fly 1,100 hours per year. This compares with the more usual industry total of perhaps 500 to 600 hours.”
He says that VistaJet’s all round service offering facilitated other economies of scale. VistaJet is a business jet charter operation, financing and brokerage company, headquartered in Switzerland with operations based in Salzburg, Austrian.
“Chartering is one element of our entire comprehensive business offering which includes aircraft financing and also aircraft trading,” he points out.
Chen says that VistaJet is expanding into Asia. It is in negotiations with potential business partners.
In Europe the work on expanding and upgrading the fleet continues. “This latest order further demonstrates VistaJet’s commitment to offer the newest fleet, coupled with the finest services to satisfy customers who demand the very best”.
He adds: “We are very pleased with our current fleet of Learjet 60, Challenger 604 and Global Express XRS aircraft and we anticipate the new Challenger 605 jet’s spacious cabin and restyled interior, will offer our discriminating clients the ultimate in comfort and convenience.”
VistaJet currently operates two Learjet 60s, two Challenger 604s and a Global Express XRS business jet.
“Our brand represents the highest in service quality, an outstanding safety track record spanning 18 years, and uncompromising attention to detail. The Bombardier Family of proven, high performance business jets offers us the product range and means to further enhance VistaJet’s brand equity,” Chen adds.
Launched in November 2005, the Challenger 605 operates at a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.82 (870 km/h). It is equipped with the Rockwell Collins Pro Line 21 avionics suite that supports real-time satellite graphical weather and electronic charts to enhance situational awareness and reduce pilot workload, and an Ethernet-based cabin electronic system.