Qatar Airways Signs MOU for 20 Gulfstream Business Jets

Qatar Airways has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Gulfstream Aerospace for the purchase of up to 20 aircraft.

The Memorandum of Understanding establishes the initial agreement for Qatar Airways to order up to 20 Gulfstream aircraft, including firm orders and options for the all-new, wide-cabin G500 and the flagship G650ER.

The MOU marks the beginning of a new relationship between Qatar Airways and Gulfstream.

Headquartered at Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar Executive’s jet services are available for worldwide charter onboard the operator’s wholly-owned fleet. Qatar Executive's service portfolio includes aircraft management, airliner charter, maintenance and FBO services.

Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive, Qatar Airways, said, “Qatar Executive has been on an accelerated growth path since its inception ... In order to keep pace with the future strategic growth plans of our private jet division, the fleet is being expanded with aircraft that meet the needs of our guests, providing a wide range of options. The announcement of the Memorandum of Understanding for G650ERs and G500s signals a next step for Qatar Executive's relatively young and buoyant history.”

The G500 can fly 5,000 nautical miles/9,260 kilometers at Mach 0.85 or 3,800 nm/7,038 km at Mach 0.90. The aircraft will link Doha, Qatar, nonstop with London, Geneva and Paris at Mach 0.90 and is expected to enter service in 2018.

Gulfstream projects it will receive type certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency in 2017.

The G650ER, an ultra-long-range aircraft, can travel 7,500 nm/13,890 km at Mach 0.85 and 6,400 nm/11,853 km at Mach 0.90. The G650ER can fly nonstop from Doha to New York at Mach 0.90 and nonstop from Doha to Los Angeles at Mach 0.85. Announced in May 2014, the G650ER recently received FAA certification.