Prestige Jet adds three aircraft to fast-growing fleet

The three new planes, Cessna Citation Sovereign, Challenger 604 and Embraer Legacy 600 bring the total number of aircraft operated by the company to eleven. With these additions, the company's ambitious growth plans will overtake its own previously announced targets.

A number of other aircraft will also join the fleet late in the fourth quarter, while further discussions with manufacturers and other aircraft and chartered service providers are also at an advanced stage, reflecting the company's plans to more than double its fleet by the beginning of 2009.

Prestige Jet, which only debuted in May last year has already made its mark on the burgeoning and lucrative VIP and executive business charter travel.

Faris Deeb, Prestige Jet's Managing Director says:

"Our dynamic, diversified business model has allowed us to offer competitive, top quality services to sophisticated and demanding clientele who expect the best at all times."

"This summer period has witnessed an increase in demand for our aircraft, with the utilisation of the airline's fleet of 11 dedicated aircraft running on average at 40% above target," he said.

"The new Cessna Citation Sovereign, Challenger 604 and Embraer Legacy 600 will allow us to present our clients with an even more flexible VIP transport solutions."

The Cessna Citation Sovereign has a range of 5,300 km and can cruise at a maximum speed of 840 kph, allowing it to fly as far as Europe or the Far East. It can carry nine passengers and its ability to land and take off from short runways, gives passengers greater freedom and flexibility of using smaller, less crowded airports, closer to their final destination.

With the addition of these three new aircraft, Prestige Jet has created a balanced fleet of small, mid and large-size aircraft to ensure that the company is well placed to meet demand from various customer segments.

For executive flyers looking for jets for regional trips or long-haul flights, the Challenger 604 is the answer. Accommodating 10 passengers, this jet flies 7-15 hours non-stop. It further enhances Prestige Jet's large cabin charter capabilities for corporate and private customers.

The Legacy 600, in turn, serves passengers flying to Europe or the Far East and cruises at a speed of up to Mach 0.80. It offers a range of 3,250 nautical miles (6,019 km) and accommodates eight to thirteen passengers. It has a superior luggage capacity. When travelling with 12 or more passengers, Legacy 600 offers distinct cost advantages.

The three new aircraft have immediately gone into operation from Al Bateen City Airport on the outskirts of the UAE capital.

"In view of the very strong summer bookings across the range of our aircraft, we were delighted to be able to add the Sovereign, Challenger and Legacy during this period of high demand. This provided us with greater flexibility across several different customer segments from High Net Worth Individuals to major corporations," said Deeb. "Our aim is to continue to grow and create a balanced fleet of small, mid and large-size aircraft."