Qatar Executive’s order for 20 new Gulfstream aircraft, announced at the NBAA show in the U.S., has positioned it firmly as the region’s leading owner and operator of business jets.

David Edwards, executive vice president, Qatar Executive, said, “We [made a] recent ground-breaking announcement on the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. for the purchase of up to 20 aircraft. This marks the beginning of a new relationship between Qatar Executive and Gulfstream and establishes the initial agreement for Qatar Airways to order up to 20 Gulfstream aircraft, including firm orders and options for the…G500 and the…G650ER.”

The company said two new Bombardier Global 5000 Visions were also added earlier in the year. It also grew its aircraft management and charter portfolio and strengthened its footprint in Asia, where it serves a growing customer base with the Bombardier Global 5000. It relocated its head office to the site of its future FBO at Hamad International Airport, which is set to open during 2015.

“The past 12 months have been marked by fleet expansion, solid business growth, and a significant boost of our service portfolio. It’s been a busy year and we are looking forward to even more exciting times ahead,” Edwards said.

Qatar Executive (Stand 537) has tripled its fleet in five years. “To date, we operate a total of eight wholly-owned all-Bombardier aircraft: four Global 5000s–among them two Global 5000 Visions–three Challenger 605s and one Global XRS. We also have a growing aircraft management portfolio,” said Edwards. “With [the Gulfstream MoU], the fleet will be expanded with aircraft that meet the needs of our guests, and which [meet] market demands.”

Edwards said the company was also able to source larger aircraft such as the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 787 through parent Qatar Airways. “We also support customers who require large aircraft with VIP configurations, as our sales team have profound knowledge of the market and are well-experienced in arranging large group-travel packages on the occasion of large family gatherings, weddings or hunting trips, which are very popular here in the Middle East region.”

Maintenance Base

Qatar Executive’s maintenance operation in Doha has grown significantly in the past year, as the company has upgraded its MRO portfolio and subsequently also grown its maintenance sales team.

“With our existing Qatar Civil Aviation Authority [QCAA] and EASA-Part 145 Line and Base certifications to support European- and Qatari-registered Bombardier aircraft, we are well positioned to serve private jet owners and operators from the region, as well as visiting jet owners who can make efficient use of their stop in Qatar by having repairs carried out,” Edwards said.

The company said it did not disclose growth figures or forecasts, but said that fleet expansion and infrastructure investment were indicators of “significant growth.”

“Qatar Executive [positions] Qatar as a center of excellence in business aviation and will continue its expansion to deliver a consistent, sustainable future. That we have become a market leader in the field of global luxury travel in such a short space of time demonstrates that we have the right approach to service, our product-offering, and the value we offer,” Edwards said.

“To grow our business, we will be keeping a close watch on emerging markets where commercial air travel demand is growing in double digits, and the same is true for business aviation. Countries such as China, India and regions such as South East Asia and Africa are already providing the next wave of growth for private aviation and we are set to leverage this positive market trend,” he said.

“Forging ahead to meet the growing demand for business jet services in Qatar, the Middle East and globally, Qatar Executive will continue its strategic expansion to ensure it offers the best available product to its discerning customers and to position itself as a truly global player.”