XOJet Places $50M Order for Hawker 800XPRs

Charter operator XOJet today announced a firm order for seven Hawker 800XPRs, with delivery of all scheduled before the end of the year. With an order option for an additional five aircraft, the value of the deal “represents a potential commitment of up to $50 million,” according to Hawker Beechcraft v-p Christi Tannahill. The acquisition adds a new midsize offering to XOJet, which is currently operating a fleet of 10 Citation Xs, nine Challenger 300s and a Challenger 605. “The growth of our business demanded a third fleet type,” said XOJet CEO Blair LaCorte. Anxious to get the upgraded pre-owned Hawkers into service, XOJet will initially fly them with the older TFE731-5BR engines, replacing them with TFE731-50Rs–which is part of the XPR upgrade–as they become available. The aircraft will also get an avionics upgrade, major interior outfitting and custom exterior paint. According to LaCorte, XoJet has experienced 130-percent growth over the past three years, despite the negative impact of the recession on the industry as a whole.