Qatar Airways purchases Bombardier Challenger 300 Business Jet

Qatar Airways is purchasing a Bombardier Challenger 300 super mid-size business jet aircraft for regional and transcontinental on-demand travel.

The Qatar Airways Challenger 300 is scheduled for delivery in March 2005, and will be operated by the Amiri Flight Division of Qatar Airways from its base at Doha International Airport. It will join Qatar Airways' large and growing VIP fleet, which currently includes two Bombardier Global Express ultra long-range business jets.

"We selected the Challenger 300 after a thorough analysis of all aircraft in this category and determined that the Challenger 300 is the superior offering," stated Mr. Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive Officer, Qatar Airways. "We strongly believe the Challenger 300 with its large cabin, outstanding reliability and proven range will be an ideal complement to our longer-range Global Express aircraft."

Qatar Airways is one of the fastest growing international airlines in the world. Over the past 18 months, its fleet has grown from 18 aircraft to 33 with further increases predicted. Qatar Airways presently flies to 53 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Far East and will offer flights to 70 destinations, including Australia and the US, by the end of 2005.

"Qatar Airways, one of only three airlines worldwide to have been awarded the 5-star ranking by independent aviation quality control monitor Skytrax, is recognized internationally for superior quality and service, and this positive development underlines the suitability of the new Challenger 300 aircraft for charter operations in the Gulf Region," stated Mike Fahey, Regional Vice-President, Sales, Middle-East and Africa, Bombardier Aerospace, Business Aircraft.

Fully certificated by Transport Canada, the U.S. Federal Aviation Association (FAA) and the European Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), the Bombardier Challenger 300 delivers a top speed of Mach 0.82 (541 mph; 870 km/h) and a maximum non-stop range of 3,100 nautical miles (5,741 km) with eight passengers and is approved to a maximum operating altitude of 45,000 feet (13,716 m).