DayJet Orders 239 Eclipse 500s, Options For 70 Additional Aircraft

Eclipse Aviation Monday said it's signed a five-year deal with DayJet Corporation, a company specializing in "per-seat, on-demand" jet services. Under terms of the deal, Eclipse will supply the fleet with next-generation, very light jets (VLJ), which when combined with DayJet's real-time operations system, will enable DayJet to offer its on-demand jet services on a "per-seat" basis, according to an Eclipse statement.

The first 24 months of the five-year agreement, which extends through 2010, includes firm orders for 239 Eclipse 500 jets and options to purchase 70 additional aircraft. Deliveries will begin shortly after the Eclipse 500 receives FAA certification, which is on track to occur in March, 2006.

"Market and technology forces have combined to make this the right time for 'per-seat, on-demand' air travel, and our relationship with Eclipse is a cornerstone to our strategy," said DayJet president and CEO Edward Iacobucci. "Eclipse pioneered the VLJ category, and the Eclipse 500's low acquisition and direct operating costs in combination with its excellent performance make it an ideal platform for delivery of our services. We are excited to announce this order, securing DayJet's early access to the market-leading aircraft needed to scale our business over time."

DayJet's "per-seat, on-demand" jet services are designed to make what was once an elite mode of transportation broadly available. DayJet will provide services to outlying regional markets that have limited, if any, scheduled airline service today. By offering its services on a "Per-Seat," shared ride basis at prices that are only slightly higher than full-fare coach, DayJet will make "On-Demand" air transportation more practical and affordable for a much larger percentage of today's mobile workforce.

"We have been working with DayJet since 2002, so it gives us great pleasure to disclose our relationship with our first On-Demand fleet customer," said Vern Raburn, president and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. "Driven by a shared passion and commitment to bring innovation back to aviation, Eclipse has leveraged next-generation technologies to establish a breakthrough value proposition for jet travel, while DayJet has used computing advances to create a sophisticated personalized air transportation network. The integration of these two powerful solutions will redefine business travel, making air transportation between regional markets a commercial reality."

FMI: www.eclipseaviation.com