Qatar Executive (QE) is displaying one of its brand-new Gulfstream G700s this week at EBACE 2024, just days before the company makes its debut as the world’s first commercial service operator of the ultra-long-range twinjet. The air charter group's G700 fleet will enter commercial service with four aircraft in mid-June, Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said during an unveiling event of the company’s first two G700s—MSN 87009 (tail number A7-CHA) and MSN 87012 (A7-CHB)—in Doha on May 22.
QE’s typical G700 passenger cabin consists of four individual living areas, including a dedicated private rear stateroom, with 15 seats and a capacity of up to seven beds—three double beds and four singles. A7-CHB, which is on display at EBACE, has a one-off more luxurious configuration with 13 seats, turning into three double and three single beds.
The private charter subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group became the international launch customer for the G700 in October 2019, with an order for 10 of the Rolls-Royce Pearl 700-powered business jets. Deliveries were due to start in 2022, but a protracted certification process by the FAA put shipments on hold.
Gulfstream’s flagship G700 obtained FAA certification in March and received EASA validation earlier this month. The Qatar General Civil Aviation Authority’s approval followed soon after, allowing the twinjet to be delivered to and operated by QE.
Qatar Executive plans to have seven G700s in its fleet by year-end and all 10 in 2025. “We are discussing to finalize the delivery of the remaining six with our partner now and seeing if they can deliver sooner,” Al-Meer said.
Gulfstream is in the process of seeking G700 validation by numerous other national aviation authorities, including China, Canada, and the UK, Gulfstream president Mark Burns told AIN.
Al-Meer, who became CEO of Qatar Airways Group in November following more than 10 years as COO of Doha Hamad International Airport, described the technologically advanced aircraft with its quiet cabin, bespoke leather interior, and high-speed performance as “the pinnacle of business aviation excellence.”
“With a range of up to 7,750 nautical miles and flying at a record-breaking speed, these G700s will quickly connect economic hubs and key destinations such as Doha-New York or San Francisco-Tokyo,” Al-Meer pointed out.
In addition, the G700 meets the group’s sustainability goals by delivering “outstanding environmental efficiency [and] promoting sustainable business aviation,” he said. The ferry flights from Gulfstream’s facilities in Savannah, Georgia, to Doha used a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend. Qatar Airways Group has set a target of 10% SAF use by 2030.
QE is already taking advance expressions of interest from clients to charter the G700s, Al-Meer said, adding that demand for Qatar Executive services is “very high.” This demand has increased since the pandemic and “comes from all over the world,” he noted. QE operates a floating fleet and most of its aircraft are based outside of Doha.
“I would like to be as humble as possible, but I don't know—maybe we understand this high-level business better than our competitors. We have built a very loyal customer base,” Al-Meer said.
The fly-by-wire G700s are an addition to—not a replacement of—QE’s fleet comprising 15 G650ERs, two Bombardier Global 5000s, and a pair of Airbus ACJ319s. “The G650s are still new aircraft, and we will continue flying them for the next two to three years,” Al-Meer explained. “Maybe at a later stage, we will consider upgrading the G650 to either G800s or maybe another order of G700s.”