Qatar Airways private jet division to add to its fleet

In the two years since Qatar Executive launched, it will double its all-Bombardier fleet to six aircraft by the end of August.

The incoming deliveries will include a Bombardier XRS in May, followed by a Challenger 605 in July, and a Global 5000 in August, the latter of which is the second delivery from an order for two Global 5000s announced at the Farnborough Air Show last July.

The Doha-based corporate jet operation began in 2009 with two Bombardier Challenger 605s. Last October a Global 5000 joined the fleet, which took the total fleet up to three aircraft.

Another significant boost to Qatar Executive's operations is a dedicated 6,300 square metre hangar facility at Doha International Airport for maintenance operations. The facility is now open, and will serve other business aircraft operators as well.

The hangar features aircraft handling and dispatch services, aircraft cleaning, as well as passenger lounge facilities for visiting aircraft.

Qatar Executive was selected by Bombardier to become its second Approved Service Facility in the Middle East for the Challenger and Global aircraft.

Qatar Airways chief executive officer Akbar Al Baker said: "When Qatar Executive first began, it was a successful operation right from the start. The travel patterns we witnessed from the onset were indicative of the pent-up demand for tailor-made and completely customised travel. It immediately became obvious that we were filling a gap in a market which has grown rapidly, particularly in the Middle East region.”

The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) reported that the Middle East region's business and VIP aircraft fleet swelled from approximately 200 in 2000 to almost 450 aircraft by 2009, representing annual growth of almost 13 percent.

According to the Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) the number of private aircraft operated in the Arab World will increase from 450 today to 1,300 by 2020 with the addition of more than 800 units over the next 10 years.

Al Baker added: "The statistics clearly show that the private travel segment is continuing to grow - along with air traffic demand overall.

"The Qatar Executive product is unique and offers boundless travel options - a proposition which is highly suited for private traffic and corporations which have requirements such as combining multiple stops, travelling to remote locations, or landing at airports without scheduled commercial service.”

Qatar Executive's corporate jets can operate non-stop to anywhere in Europe, as well as most places in Asia and Africa. In addition, each jet can reach North America with a fuel stop in Europe.

The personalised service for passengers includes the convenience of booking an aircraft in as little as four hours before departure, access to premium lounges, and check-in 10 minutes prior to take off.

By 2013, Qatar Airways plans to serve 120 key business and leisure destinations worldwide with a modern fleet of 120 aircraft. Today, the airline's fleet stands at 97 aircraft, flying to 100 destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and North & South America.