To Become International Launch Customer
Saudi Arabia's first private airline, National Air Services
(NAS), has placed a $250+ million order for up to 20 Hawker 750
bizjets. Raytheon Aircraft Company (RAC) announced the order on
Tuesday, one day before opening ceremonies for the first annual
Middle East Business Aviation (MEBA) conference & exhibition to
be held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
This is the largest single order on record for Raytheon in the
region with deliveries slated for 4Q 2007.
"This is an exceptional order and we are delighted with the
value proposition this airplane brings to the market," says Ted
Farid, vice president, New Business Development for Raytheon
Aircraft Company, "National Air Services has proven to be an
excellent partner for us in the Middle East. This order will help
them meet the demand for private aviation solutions in the region,
and we anticipate it will be the first of many in the area."
Taher Agueel, Chief Executive Officer of NAS, said, "As the
leading provider of private aviation services in the Middle East,
National Air Services continues to invest in the future of this
rapidly expanding sector. The region’s economic trends are
all pointing upwards, and demand for aviation services is expanding
in line with such growth. At NAS, we are extremely pleased to
partner with world-class firms such as Raytheon Aircraft as we
chart our own course towards an even brighter future. We are
also proud to be the international launch customer for the new
Hawker 750, which we believe will quickly become the first choice
for private aircraft users across the region."
Raytheon bills the new Hawker 750, announced at NBAA 2006, as a
"2,100 nautical mile range airplane with the largest fuselage in
the
light-mid size aircraft
segment," although it's not clear how many other manufacturers use
the "light-mid" classification. The jet is derived from the Hawker
800-series airframe, and will have the same cabin as the Hawker
800-series, accommodating up to eight passengers. Raytheon says
instead of a ventral fuel tank, the Hawker 750 will be have a
heated external baggage compartment with a 32 cubic foot capacity.
Also making the leap from 800 to 750 is Honeywell's TFE-731-5BR
engine and state-of-the-art Pro Line 21 avionics package. The
aircraft will not sport winglets but it will feature a Hawker
400XP-style interior. RAC claims firm orders for 40 Hawker
750s.
Raytheon says the jet is ideally suited to the Middle Eastern
market with a range capable of non-stop point-to-point travel
anywhere in the region.
Since its establishment in 1999, National Air Services
(NAS) has become the leading provider of private aviation services
in the Middle East with 33 aircraft under management. Based in
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, NAS provides regional businesses with several
different aviation services, including NetJets Middle East
(fractional aircraft ownership and lease), Aircraft Management
Services and Aircraft Charter Services. NAS also operates Al
Khayala Airlines for business travelers, and recently received an
operating certificate for the nation's only privately-owned airline
set to launched soon.
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