Elite Jets makes first regional sale of the Hawker 850XP business jet

The brand new Raytheon-manufactured 8-seater aircraft has been purchased by a Kuwaiti company. The owners have also signed an agreement with Elite Jets to manage the aircraft on their behalf for both private and commercial charter.

Operating on regional and international routes, the US$14 million Hawker 850XP has a range of up to 2,624 nautical miles, offering up to 6 hours of non-stop flying (putting the major business and leisure centres of the Middle East, Western and Eastern Europe, Indian Sub Continent, Indian Ocean and Africa within easy reach of Dubai and regional hubs). Further regional sales are in the pipeline for Elite Jets.

Paras Dhamecha, CEO of Elite Jets, commented:"The Hawker 850XP is an outstanding business jet and well-suited to the needs of the region. We are expecting strong charter demand for the aircraft both from the corporate and leisure markets. It has a good range and has been highly customized with the latest fittings and onboard technology, offering very high levels of passenger comfort. We were able to work with the customer on financing the purchase of the aircraft and we will take delivery directly from the Hawker factory completion centre in the US, flying the aircraft to Dubai in early July, 2006.

Elite Jets plans to sell several Hawker/Beechcraft aircraft over the next 12 months, and is already in the process of completing a second Hawker 850XP sale, creating a very positive outlook for the company's aircraft sales projections: "The market for private air travel is growing stronger within the region and this interest is coming from private individuals and companies who are not only looking to enhance their company image by owning their own aircraft, but to provide management with a highly flexible and convenient means of private, executive air travel. In addition, owners have the bonus of investing in a revenue-generating asset," adds Mr. Dhamecha.

The Hawker 850XP goes farther, climbs faster and delivers better performance than its class-leading predecessor, due to the addition of new supercritical winglets that are not just artfully aesthetic; the design reduces drag while increasing key performance parameters. This means the new Hawker 850XP can take up to 8 passengers farther and on less fuel, offering unparalleled flexibility and cost effectiveness.