Bombardier has agreed to sell 56 Global jets to VistaJet, with options for 86 more, constituting the biggest business jet sale in its history, the company said on Tuesday. If all options are exercised, the sale would total $7.8 billion. “By any standard, this is a historic order for Bombardier,” said Steve Ridolfi, president of the company’s business aircraft division. The jets seat 8 to 10 passengers and can fly up to 7,900 nm nonstop. VistaJet recently signed deals with partners in China and Russia and plans to expand globally. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2014.
The firm order comprises 25 each of the Global 5000 and 6000 jets, as well as six Global 8000 jets, which are still under development and not yet certified. The agreement also includes options for 40 Global 5000, 40 Global 6000 and six Global 8000 jets. “These orders reinforce the outlook for solid growth in production rates in the large-cabin business aircraft segment over the next several years,” financial analyst Fadi Chamoun told Reuters. NetJets placed a larger order with Bombardier in June, for up to 275 Challenger jets, but that deal was valued at just $7.3 billion.
