Qatar Airways Takes Delivery of First G650ER

During a ceremony at Gulfstream's headquarters in Savannah, Ga., on Friday, Qatar Airways group CEO Akbar Al Baker took delivery of the airline’s first Gulfstream, a G650ER that is part of an order for up to 30 G650ERs, G500s and G600s. Qatar Airways' charter, management, FBO and maintenance division, Qatar Executive, will operate the new Gulfstreams, joining a fleet that includes the Bombardier Challenger 605, Global 5000 and XRS and Airbus A319. 

Deliveries of the G500s are scheduled to begin in 2018, and all of the Qatar Airways order, which includes firm purchases and options, will be delivered within the next five years, according to Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “I think this will help us sell a lot of airplanes in the Middle East,” he said. “Putting these airplanes in the Middle East in commercial operation gives us a good footprint [there]. This is a very important day for us. We’re looking forward to a long and healthy relationship.” 

After formally receiving a key to the new jet, Al Baker praised the Gulfstream employees. “I would like to appreciate the fantastic work the young men and women who have built this very fine machine for us. The private jet division of Qatar Airways will today soar to new heights as it takes delivery of [our] first Gulfstream aircraft. We look forward to this new relationship with Gulfstream as we enter this aircraft in our growing private jet fleet.”

Immediately following the delivery, the new jet was flown directly from Savannah to Doha by Nadhim Nielsen, vice president of flight operations, and captain Eleni Veliu, chief pilot-training for Qatar Airways. Qatar Executive will operate this G650ER as a G650 until the -ER receives EASA certification next year.