FlairJet bring first two Embraer Phenom 300s to Europe; revenue charter flights to commence from January 2011 | Press Release

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Press Release

Issued by FXAir.

January 5, 2011

FlairJet bring first two Embraer Phenom 300s to Europe; revenue charter flights to commence from January 2011

The first Embraer Phenom 300 (G-MGNE) to start commercial service in Europe has arrived safely in the UK. FlairJet's aircraft (G-MGNE) touched down at London Oxford Airport at 15:55 local time on Wednesday, 22 December. Flying the aircraft from Embraer's Sao Jose dos Campos facility in Brazil via the Caribbean, eastern seaboard of the USA, Goose Bay and Keflavik, were FlairJet CEO, Captain David Fletcher and Captain Gerry Rolls, Flight Operations Director.

The second Phenom 300 (G-GEIR) arrived on December 31st and bolsters FlairJet's Phenom fleet to five.

The differing weather conditions along the delivery route enabled FlairJet to test the capabilities of the Phenom 300 in the heat of Brazil and the cold weather of Goose Bay and Keflavik. Sector lengths were up to four hours with several hours of operation at the maximum ceiling of 45,000 ft.

The aircraft, another first for FlairJet, which pioneered Phenom 100 operations in Europe in 2010, was a welcome Christmas present for the company, which coincidentally marked its first year of operations in December. These past 12 months it has flown some 1000 hours and made more than 1000 landings.

The new Phenom 300s will be based at Oxford Airport, joining FlairJet's existing three Phenom 100s, but one will frequently operate from Cannes Mandelieu in the South of France during the summer. FlairJet plans to recruit additional pilots and operations staff over the coming months.

"The aircraft have now been added to our AOC and we are especially proud to be the first in Europe to fly the Phenom 300s commercially," said David Fletcher. "The aircraft is very impressive for both pilot and passenger and is a serious contender to the more established Learjet and Excel aircraft. It also gives us access to airports such as Moscow or Ankara with five or six passengers and perfectly complements the Phenom 100 as it opens up the Algarve, Malaga and Alicante as possible destinations."

FlairJet, which has swiftly become an established ambassador for Embraer products, will have its Phenom 300s three years ahead of NetJets, which placed a 125-strong order for the aircraft at the recent NBAA business aviation show in Atlanta. "We are especially looking forward to flying any NetJets Europe customers who may want to experience at first hand the characteristics of this remarkable new jet," David quipped.

Embraer's Phenom 300 establishes new standards of comfort and performance in the light jet category. FlairJet's aircraft, featuring a new interior furnished in natural wood veneer with high gloss finishing, will accommodate six passengers in a spacious and comfortable cabin designed by BMW DesignworksUSA. Swept wings, with winglets, give the aircraft terrific ramp appeal and strong aerodynamic performance. A single refueling port, an externally serviced lavatory, short runway capability and excellent cabin pressurisation are some of the jet's distinctive features. The Phenom 300 is one of the fastest aircraft in the light jet category, reaching 521 mph (839 km/h or 453 knots) and can fly at an altitude of up to 45,000 feet (13,716 meters). Its range of 1,971 nautical miles (3,650 km) including NBAA IFR fuel reserves, means the aircraft is capable of flying nonstop from London Oxford to Moscow, Rome, Palma or Athens.