Eclipse Aviation Corporation, manufacturer of the Eclipse 500 jet and Aviace AG, a Switzerland-based international jet club just announced that Aviace AG has signed an agreement for the purchase of 112 of the new jets.

In Europe, flying clubs are an emerging phenomenon, offering private air travel solutions to frequent flyers. Aviace AG is in the process of establishing jet clubs in several European countries. Aviace intends to use the Eclipse 500 to bring jet clubs to every country in Europe including small airport destinations that travelers cannot currently reach through commercial air travel. In addition, the economic advantages of the Eclipse 500 will enable Aviace AG to significantly decrease the cost of this growing mode of private jet travel throughout Europe, allowing more people to use private jet travel as an alternative to commercial airlines.
"Aviace's business model represents the innovative new services made possible by the breakthrough economics and operating characteristics offered only by the Eclipse 500 jet," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. "It is exciting to witness what enterprising, visionary entrepreneurs can imagine and create with this paradigm-shifting new aircraft."
Aviace has secured the agreement with a deposit. First deliveries of the aircraft are scheduled for 2004 with the remaining aircraft to be delivered in 2005 and 2006.

FMI: http://www.aviace.biz, http://www.eclipseaviation.com