Abu Dhabi - Royal Jet, the international luxury executive flight services company, headquartered in the UAE, has expanded its current fleet of executive jets with the addition of a fifth Boeing Business Jet (BBJ), confirming the company as the largest BBJ operator in the world.

The multi-million dollar deal has been made in partnership with First Gulf Bank (FGB) which has financed the purchase of the aircraft. This is the second such financing deal that Royal Jet has made with FGB. At the contract signing ceremony, which was attended by Royal Jet’s President and CEO Shane O’Hare and Andre Sayegh, CEO, First Gulf Bank, O’Hare said that this latest purchase is a direct response to massive demand for the current fleet of Royal Jet’s BBJs.

“Each of our BBJs is typically flying around 1,300 hours each year. They are based all over the world, not limiting themselves purely to local markets. They can be found in Africa, China, India, North America and Europe and are a highly popular and cost effective choice for businesses not wishing to be tied down by restricted flight times offered by commercial airline companies.”

Widely regarded as pioneering business aviation within the UAE in 2003, Royal Jet has steadily built up an enviable fleet, which, in the past year, has grown from eight to 12 fixed wing aircraft and a VIP helicopter.

The BBJ is a derivative of Boeing’s highly popular New-Generation 737- 700 series of commercial passenger aircraft. It can be arranged in multiple configurations to carry between 36 and 52 passengers, including the option of having a private bedroom aboard, a conference/dining area, and a living area in the most common layouts. It has a maximum range of 5,500 nautical miles - equivalent to about 10 hours flying time - at altitudes of up to 41,000 ft (12,500m).