Abu Dhabi: Royal Jet, the Abu Dhabi government-owned charter operator, will announce the $700 million (Dh2.57 billion) purchase of seven new aircraft in the second quarter, its top executive said on Tuesday.
The company announced the tender at last year’s Dubai Airshow to replace six Boeing business jets, two short-range Gulfstream G350s and a medium range Learjet 60.
Shane O’Hare, Royal Jet President and Chief Executive Officer, told the media at the Abu Dhabi Air Expo that a decision on seven new aircraft to replace its existing Boeing business jets will be announced in the coming months.
Royal Jet is talking with Bombardier, Boeing and Airbus to replace its long-range fleet. O’Hare said the charter operator will not opt for a mixed long-range fleet and said that first delivery for the long-range replacements will start in 2016, which means an order must be announced this year.
The company is currently considering bank and leasing operations to finance the new fleet, but O’Hare said it is favouring bank financing.
All aircraft, including the short to medium range, will be replaced by 2020.
O’Hare said he is happy with the Bombardier C-Series test flights but that the operator has not committed to any aircraft.
Royal Jet is also investing in 10,000 square metres of building space at Al Bateen Executive Airport that will include hanger space, spare parts area and head office operations.
“That will enable us to maintain our own aircraft and in the future expand that to third party maintenance, repair and overhaul,” O’Hare said.
