Gulfstream’s flagship G700 obtained EASA approval today, following FAA certification by about a month and a half. This allows the $81 million twinjet to be delivered to European customers in any of the 31 EASA member states.
“The Gulfstream team is proud to add EASA to our growing G700 certification accomplishments,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns. “During the flight-test program, we took the G700 across the globe, and the response to the aircraft’s cabin size, flexibility and performance has been outstanding. This EASA certification unlocks G700 deliveries for many more of our international customers, and we are excited to see our next-generation fleet grow around the world.”
Last month, Phebe Novakovic, chairman and CEO of Gulfstream parent General Dynamics, said the Savannah, Georgia-based aircraft manufacturer will hand over 50 to 52 of the 7,700-nm jets by year-end. It delivered two of them to customers last month, and Qatar Executive is holding a reveal ceremony for its first G700 next Wednesday at Doha Hamad International Airport.
The first 20 G700s needed unspecified post-certification modifications but are now ready for delivery to customers, with another seven to eight of the twinjets ready by next month, according to Novakovic. G700 shipments are expected to be evenly paced throughout the year, meaning around 13 per quarter.