Story ID: 
NetJets orders totals $2B
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: It’s become tradition.
Word Count: 190
It’s become tradition. No sooner does a manufacturer introduce a new airplane than NetJets follows right behind with an order announcement. This year’s NBAA Convention is no exception. The Woodbridge, N.J.-based fractional jet operator has placed orders and options for 200 of the newest midsize business jets, introduced here by Cessna and Gulfstream, transactions that have a potential value of nearly $2 billion.Specifically, NetJets placed a firm order for 50 of the new Gulfstream 150 business jets and optioned for 50 more. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2005, shortly after the new business jet enters service. The G150, a G100 derivative to be powered by twin Honeywell 731 turbofans, will offer a wider cabin for seven or eight passengers and higher speed. Gulfstream said the G150 will have a maximum range of 2,700 nm and a long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.8. NetJets has also ordered 100 of the new Citation CJ3s, in addition to 12 more Citation Xs to add to the 58 the company already operates and the 18 that remain undelivered from a previous order. Under the latest orders, Citation X deliveries will occur in 2004. NetJets will start receiving its CJ3s in 2005.