Learjet acquistions broaden Royal Jet offering

"The Learjets will be the preferred aircraft for inter-regional and same-day travel as well as for servicing personalised Haj and Umra demand," said Shane O'Hare, President and CEO, Royal Jet.

With a maximum range of 2000 nautical miles, the Learjet 35 can fly for up to four hours on a single fuelling at speeds of up to 530mph (853km/h) and altitudes up to 45,000 ft (13,700 m). All Middle Eastern destinations can therefore easily be reached from any airport in the Gulf.

"With regional demand for private jet charter growing rapidly, the addition of these two aircraft enables us to provide a more cost-effective, yet personalised solution for clients,"

said O'Hare.

"With a choice of configurations of from four to six seats, the Learjet 35 gives business leaders the flexibility they need. It is one of the fastest aircraft in its class and a superb aviation-on-demand tool which makes it feasible to fly to business meetings in, say, Dubai, Bahrain, Riyadh and Kuwait all in one day, which would be impossible by scheduled commercial airlines.

"The aircraft can be booked and ready to leave within two hours of a client's request - notwithstanding that some routes obviously need longer for obtaining government and air traffic control clearance."

Royal Jet also plans to utilise one of the Learjets for medical evacuation services, as part of its Royal Med air ambulance operations - with a configuration allowing for one patient with attendant medical staff. "These smaller planes now make it much more cost efficient to fly patients which will enhance options for medical insurers. The Learjet's lower operating brings the price down to below the insurance ceiling for most medical insurance plans."

This is the second fleet enhancement by Royal Jet within a month. In August it added its fifth Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) to its expanding fleet making it the world's largest BBJ operator.