Qatar Airways has purchased two

Global Express business jets and

signed an option for two additional

aircraft for regional and

intercontinental vip on-demand

travel. The aircraft will join Qatar

Airways’ growing vip fleet, which

currently includes high-end Airbus

A340-200, A310-300, A320 and

A319CJ aircraft.

Three additional vip aircraft, two

A330-200s and an A340-500 will

also shortly join the fleet.

The first Qatar Airways Global

Express is scheduled for delivery

in mid-2004, the second in late

2004. The aircraft will feature a

13-passenger, three-compartment

configuration with a crew rest

area. The vip flight division of

Qatar Airways will operate the

aircraft from its base at Doha

International Airport.

“The proven Global Express, with

its exceptional cabin, speed and

range is the perfect addition to

our vip fleet,” said ceo Akbar Al

Baker. “The aircraft will provide

the State of Qatar with a fitting

flagship for vips attending to

international responsibilities.”

“Qatar Airways’ acquisition of

these Global Express business jets is

the most recent among multiple sales

we’ve made into the Middle East,”

said Jahid Fazal-Karim, senior vp,

international sales, Business Aircraft.

Bombardier says it has delivered

27 per cent of all business jets to the

Middle East over the last five years.

Qatar Airways’ purchase occurs

just as the 115 aircraft in the Global

Express fleet surpass the 100,000

flight hours milestone. For the 12-

month period ending September

2003, after 51 months in service, the

aircraft posted a despatch reliability

of 99.25 per cent.

Bombardier has been particularly

active of late in the Middle East

market, recently celebrating the

Challenger 300’s debut in the region.

The aircraft – which was flown

in from Geneva, Switzerland –

was welcomed at the Dubai Air

Show by His Highness Sheikh

Saleh bin Mohammed Al Sharqi,

who is the launch customer in the

Middle East.