NetJets Europe has ordered 32 Hawker 4000 aircraft, chairman and ceo Mark Booth announced at EBACE:

"We are delighted to be the first company in Europe to add the state-of-the-art Hawker 4000 to our fleet. It joins NetJets Europe's fleet as its entry level stand-up cabin, flight attendant aircraft."

Deliveries, which start in the third quarter of 2008, are scheduled to run through 2016. "The aircraft is aimed at businesses and entre-preneurs who need the service, performance and the range offered by the flight attendant equipped super-midsize jet," says Booth.

The Hawker 4000, which carries up to eight passengers, has a range of 3,300 n.m. enabling flights such as Moscow to Marrakesh.

NetJets Europe has a current fleet of 53 Hawker jets with eight more aircraft scheduled for delivery later this year. "By the end of 2008 NetJets Europe will be operating a fleet of over 75 Hawker aircraft made up of the 400XP, 750, 800XP and 4000," says Booth.

He cites enhanced situational awareness and flight management systems backed by real-time system monitoring and status as among the big attractions to buyers. "The Hawker 4000 comes standard with dual IRS (Inertial Reference System) and auto throttle that are ideally suited for transcontinental operations," he adds. "The avionics and utility systems are fully integrated, and composite construction provides for lower parts count resulting in enhanced reliability and lower lifecycle costs."

Booth adds: "The climb rate is exhilarating, going from sea level to 37,000 feet in just over 14 minutes. Once at altitude, the Hawker 4000 accelerates quickly to its maximum cruise speed of Mach .83."