Qatar Executive takes first deliveries of ‘highly anticipated’ Gulfstream G700
Qatar Executive has taken delivery of the first two of nine G700s.
In the early summer Doha heat, the all-new Gulfstream G700 cut a cool figure.
Qatar Executive has just taken delivery of the first two of nine G700s – A7-CHA and A7-CHB – which it unveiled at an event in Doha this week. As the worldwide exclusive commercial operator, Qatar Executive will be the first carrier to offer the aircraft to charter customers. Expressions of interest are growing fast and the new G700 fleet will be ready to begin commercial operations within the next fortnight, according to Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, group CEO, Qatar Airways.
“Today we welcome the industry’s highest performance, ultra-long-range business jet to the Qatar Executive fleet,” said Al-Meer. “We are proud to enhance our existing fleet of 15 Gulfstream G650ER aircraft to include the pinnacle of business aviation excellence and look forward to seeing our guests on board soon.”
The G700 is fitted with Rolls-Royce Pearl 700 engines, bringing with it greater efficiency and more range than its predecessors. It’s originally quoted range of 7,500nm was upgraded to 7,750nm in September 2023. It is the fastest Gulfstream business jet ever produced with a top speed of Mach 0.935. The aircraft also boasts a balanced field length take-off distance of 5,995ft (1,827m) and a landing distance of 3,150 ft (960m) at sea level.
‘Aircraft delivered using SAF’
The G700 is sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) ready. In fact the first G700 was delivered to Qatar Executive from Gulfstream’s HQ in Georgia, US fuelled by a SAF blend. “From our vantage point, sustainable aviation fuel is one of the key points that will help us achieve industry sustainability goals,” Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream told CJI. “We are offering all new customers of the G700 the chance to have their aircraft delivered using SAF, just as we fly it as part of our test programme.”
Inside, the G700 features the industry’s lowest cabin pressure altitude making flights at 41,000ft feel like 2,840ft. The cabin itself is split across four individual living areas including a private rear stateroom with a permanent fixed bed – all naturally lit via 20 trademark oval windows. Also, an ionising system for cabin air and 100% fresh air replenishment every three minutes provide the highest air quality ever in a business jet, according to Gulfstream.
“Qatar Executive has been a valued Gulfstream customer for nearly 10 years,” said Burns. “We are honoured to have them as our international partner for the launch and first deliveries of the all-new G700. We look forward to growing their fleet in the months ahead.”
The G700 joins Qatar Executive’s fleet which includes 15 Gulfstream G650ERs, two Bombardier Global 5000s and an ACJ CRT. Keen to emphasise the growth outlook of Qatar Executive, the new aircraft are an addition not a replacement, according to Al-Meer. In addition to A7-CHA and A7-CHB, two further aircraft are in the final stages of acceptance and expected to arrive in Qatar in the coming weeks. Once all nine deliveries have been completed, Qatar Executive’s Gulfstream fleet will comprise 24 aircraft.
Fifa World Cup
Numerous airlines have tried before – including Delta and Lufthansa – to establish an executive division. Most have failed. But 15 years on from launching at the Paris Air Show in 2009, Qatar Executive says it is going from strength to strength. After seeing huge increases in traffic as a result of the 2022 Fifa World Cup, the subsidiary reported a 49% year-on-year increase in commercial revenue growth in 2023.
“I want to be as humble as possible,” said Al-Meer. “But especially when it comes to high-level customers we understand this better than other businesses because we have been working with high-level customers for a very long time. We understand their needs.
“We also have a base of very loyal returning customers, who often travel with the same cabin crew and who in turn understand their needs and requirements,” he added.
One of Qatar’s G700s (A7-CHB) will be on display at next week’s European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2024) in Geneva. It will be the only Gulfstream aircraft exhibited at the show this year after the OEM decided to pull out.
“Every two to three years we assess the most effective use of our marketing,” explained Burns. “We have decided on a strategy that includes more personal shows in regions like here in the Gulf, the wider Middle East and Asia.”
The G700 was due to be delivered in 2023, but delays with the FAA certification programme saw deliveries pushed out to this year. However, good things come to those who wait. Doha’s main airport Hamad International was six years overdue when it opened in 2014. Now, the third busiest airport in the Middle East, it just took the tile for World’s Best Airport 2024 at the World Airport Awards.
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