News Release
GULFSTREAM SERVES METROJET WELL AS ASIAN BUSINESS AVIATION MARKET STEADILY GROWS
Metrojet’s All-Gulfstream Fleet Includes Three Large-Cabin, Mid-Range Gulfstream G200s and, Before End of 3rd Quarter, a Fourth G200 and Large-Cabin, Mid-Range G450
SAVANNAH, Ga., August 9, 2005 - Gulfstream business-jet aircraft are serving Metrojet well as demand for private charters continues to grow in Asia. Based at the Business Aviation Center of the Hong Kong International Airport, Metrojet is Asia’s leading provider of corporate aircraft charter services.
According to Chris Buchholz, Director of Sales and Corporate Development for Metrojet, the flight hours of its corporate charter fleet – currently composed of three large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200 aircraft, one on lease, two under management– has increased an average of 30 percent a year since the charter company took delivery of its first G200 in February 2003. To keep pace with the growing demand, Metrojet will be adding a fourth G200 and a large-cabin, long-range Gulfstream G450, both under its management, to the Metrojet fleet before the end of the third quarter of this year.
“The business-jet charter market in Asia is expanding and is set to continue heating up,” Buchholz said. “The world-class premium aviation services that we provide and our superior client-oriented approach are the key to keeping us ahead of our competition. We expect that our customers will appreciate the longer range and additional seating capacity of the G450.”
Currently, 60 percent of Metrojet’s clients are based in Hong Kong and half of all Metrojet’s charter-flight destinations are to cities on mainland China like Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou and Xiamen. The other half are to destinations throughout Asia and the Pacific, including cities in India, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Micronesia, Russia and Australia.
Metrojet’s three in-service G200 aircraft accommodate up to 10 passengers and offer outstanding performance with excellent climb, high-cruising altitude, high speed, long range and short-landing capabilities. Powered by two Pratt & Whitney PW 306A engines, the G200 can reach speeds up to Mach 0.85, altitudes up to 45,000 feet and a range of 3,400 nautical miles. With low ambient noise levels, 100 percent fresh air and natural light from generous windows, the cabin provides a comfortable workspace for busy travelers.
As with every Gulfstream aircraft, the design of the G200 cockpit incorporates industry-leading technology. The flight deck features the Engine Indicating and Crew Alert System (EICAS) and the Electronic Flight Instrument System (EFIS). For efficiency and safety, the G200 also includes the Traffic alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS) with windshear warning. A year ago, Gulfstream began offering Safe Flight’s Enhanced AutoPower® automatic throttle system (ATS) on the G200 as a retrofit and as optional equipment for new aircraft.
Certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1998, the first G200 entered service in January 2000. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) validated the G200 FAA type certificate in September 2002. Two years later, the European Aviation Safety Agency validated the G200 GAA type certificate. On Aug. 30, 2004, the 100th green G200 was rolled out and entered service four months later.
NOTE TO EDITORS
Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation , a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), designs, develops, manufactures, markets, services and supports the world’s most technologically advanced business-jet aircraft. Gulfstream has produced more than 1,500 aircraft for customers around the world since 1958. To meet the diverse transportation needs of the future, Gulfstream offers a comprehensive fleet of aircraft, comprising the mid-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G100 ™; the wide-cabin, high-speed Gulfstream G150 ™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G200 ™; the large-cabin, mid-range Gulfstream G350 ™; the large-cabin, long-range G450 ™; the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G500 ™ and the large-cabin, ultra-long-range Gulfstream G550 ™. Gulfstream also offers aircraft ownership services via Gulfstream Financial Services Division and Gulfstream Pre-Owned Aircraft Sales ®. The company employs more than 7,200 people at seven major locations. We invite you to visit our Web site for more information and photos of Gulfstream aircraft at www.gulfstream.com.
General Dynamics, headquartered in Falls Church , Virginia , employs approximately 70,800 people worldwide and had 2004 revenue of $19.2 billion. The company is a market leader in mission-critical information systems and technologies; land and expeditionary combat systems, armaments and munitions; shipbuilding and marine systems; and business aviation. More information about the company can be found at www.generaldynamics.com.
