WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK--(Marketwired - June 27, 2014) - NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company and the worldwide leader in private aviation, together with Bombardier Aerospace, revealed today the first Signature Series™ Challenger 350 aircraft at Westchester County Airport in White Plains, NY. This event marked the official entry-into-service of the Challenger 350 aircraft. Bombardier Business Aircraft President Éric Martel presented the ceremonial keys to NetJets Chairman and CEO Jordan Hansell before unveiling the aircraft to employees and invited guests. NetJets is the worldwide launch customer for the Challenger 350 aircraft and will add eight of the jets to its fleet this year.
"The addition of the Challenger 350 aircraft to our fleet is a significant step in NetJets' continued growth, and clearly demonstrates our commitment to provide NetJets customers with the most state-of-the-art aircraft models in the industry," said Hansell. "This is the first of up to 200 Challenger 350 aircraft that we have on order from Bombardier over the next 10 years. We worked very closely with Bombardier to deliver an aircraft that exceeds our customers' needs by providing the highest levels of safety, comfort and convenience."
Beginning in 2010, NetJets placed orders with several aircraft manufacturer for up to 670 new state-of-the-art jets valued at up to $17.6 billion - the largest purchase in private aviation history. All of these new custom aircraft will be NetJets Signature Series™ jets. Thus far, NetJets has received 38 of the new models (including 13 of Bombardier's Global 5000 and Global 6000 aircraft), with fractional sales exceeding deliveries.
"We are thrilled to celebrate the entry-into-service of our Challenger 350 aircraft with NetJets. This aircraft builds on the proven success of the Challenger 300 aircraft program, taking performance, efficiency and comfort to the next level," said Martel. "Today's celebration highlights the ongoing success we have partnering with NetJets, to ensure our products continually exceed our customers' expectations," he added.
In addition to Bombardier's Global 5000, Global 6000 and Challenger 350 aircraft, NetJets will begin taking delivery of Bombardier's Challenger 605 aircraft beginning next year.
About the Signature Series™ Challenger 350 aircraft
The NetJets Signature Series™ Challenger 350 aircraft is an incomparable super-midsize jet and has been designed for the needs of NetJets customers. It offers customers greater cabin comfort, larger windows to create a lighter and more airy cabin environment and an advanced HD wireless entertainment system. The Signature Series™ Challenger 350 aircraft includes hand-selected wood veneers and carpeting, accented by color schemes to ensure a modern, clean, and consistent look across the entire Signature Series™ fleet.
The aircraft delivers transcontinental range* - New York to Los Angeles, London to Tel Aviv - and space for up to 10 passengers. It has an outstanding runway performance, which gives it access to some of the most remote airports. Building on the success of its predecessor, the Challenger 300 aircraft, it is equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and delivers an increased wingspan and improved engine and efficiency features.
About NetJets
NetJets Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the worldwide leader in private aviation with the largest and most diverse private jet fleet in the world. NetJets is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, having been established in 1964 as the world's first private jet charter and management company. In 1986, NetJets pioneered the concept of fractional aircraft ownership - offering individuals and businesses all of the benefits of whole aircraft ownership and more, at a fraction of the cost. Today, NetJets offers a full range of private aviation solutions through businesses bearing the NetJets®, Executive Jet Management®, and Marquis Jet Card® service brands in North America and Europe. For more information on NetJets customer programs and services visit www.netjets.com.
About Bombardier
Bombardier is the world's only manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.
Bombardier is headquartered in Montréal, Canada. Our shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD) and we are listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America Indexes. In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, we posted revenues of $18.2 billion. News and information are available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.
Notes to Editors
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*Under certain operating conditions.
Bombardier, Challenger, Challenger 300, Challenger 350, Challenger 605, Global, Global 5000, Global 6000 and The Evolution of Mobility are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.