United Aviation, a new executive charter company based in Tripoli, has ordered a Challenger 300 and a Bombardier Global 5000.

The aircraft will be used for flights to Europe and the Middle East.

"Our charter service caters to vip customers across the Middle East who demand the highest quality," said the Capt. Sabri S. Abdallah, chairman, United Aviation.

"We selected the Challenger 300 aircraft for its widebody cabin comfort and its reliability. The superior speed and high technology cabin of the Bombardier Global 5000 jet place it in a class above the rest."

Based on the list price for typically equipped aircraft, the transaction is valued at approximately $55 million US.

Fazal-Karim, senior vp, new aircraft sales, Bombardier Business Aircraft, says: "This is a landmark first contract signing for Bombardier jets into Libya.

The Challenger 300, which entered service in January 2004, can fly London-Riyadh non-stop with a full payload. It can operate out of 5,000 foot (1,524 m) runways.